Victorian Hardstone Intaglio Signet Ring

A wonderful, Victorian era, hardstone signet ring, modeled in 15k rosy yellow gold, whose shoulders feature an unusual decoration of slender, laddered, black enamel bars. The ring’s bezel-set, intaglio-carved seal features a coat of arms bearing three griffin’s heads (erased), and a chevron decorated with a series of ermine pelts. A knight’s helmet sits atop the coat of arms and, above the helmet, a noble-looking griffin sits (sejant), resting its foot on a book. The carving, here, is especially fine and well-preserved! The ring's smooth bezel is set atop a scalloped base, and large beads of granulation decorate the shank where it joins the bezel, at the shoulder. The barred enamel decor suggests a mourning aspect to this ring. We love these layered sardonyx hardstone carvings, where red carnelian lends the thin layer of white chalcedony above it a faint lavender cast! This crest and coat of arms may belong to the Gardner family.

Materials

15k
Hardstone (carnelian, chalcedony)
Enamel

Age

c. 1870

Size

US 7 1/2

This ring can be resized (down to size US 6 1/2 and up to size US 9 1/2). Resizing for this ring is complimentary (just leave your desired size in the notes at checkout).

Dimensions

Ring face measures approx 

Notes

It is possible that the head of this ring (and its seal) is somewhat older than the shank, which dates to around 1870. The scalloped underside looks like it might once have been closed, and perhaps it was part of a fob seal, before it became a ring. If this is the case, this jewel would have been passed down in a family, and the mourning band added to remember a parent. The ring head may date to 1830-1850.

Heraldry: "Azure, between a chevron ermine, three Griffins' heads erased. Crest: a griffin sejant resting its dexter claw on a book sable."