Edwardian Nude Maiden & Dragon Signet Ring
with Monogram in 14k Gold
$ 2,200.00
* * SOLD * *
A weighty Edwardian era signet ring, modeled in 14k yellow gold whose shoulders feature a highly-detailed, high-relief carving of a lounging maiden and a dragon. The nude maiden lays atop the dragon's undulous body, resting her folded arms on its head— swirling textures surround them, like clouds, smoke, or waves, populating the ring's shoulders and gallery. The ring's oval face is polished smooth and engraved with a stylized monogram that reads HAD. The lettering is especially handsome, with vertical and horizontal hashes filling out the inner fields of the block-style elements. We love this old darling, and its symbolic potential! It is possible to see the woman as Andromeda and the dragon as her sea monster, and it is possible to read the elements here as a metaphor for opium smoking (chasing the dragon)! This might also be the perfect signature piece for someone born in the year of the dragon. Marked 14k for purity.
Condition is excellent with some rubbing— the details of the carving are largely intact. Micro scratches on the ring face are exaggerated in the second photo— they are not at all visible to the unaided eye.
Materials
14k
Age
c. 1910
Size
US 7 1/2
This ring can be resized (up to US 9 1/2, and down to US 6). Resizing for this ring is complimentary.
Dimensions
Ring face measures approx 17.6 mm; ring measures approx 9.5 mm at the shoulder and tapers to approx 4 mm at the base.