Victorian Pearl & Banded Agate Band by Carlo Giuliano
This relatively unassuming ring, although charming and characterful in its own way, was made in the workshop of one of the greatest jewellers to have practised the craft: Carlo Giuliano.
Carlo Giuliano (1831-1895) was an Italian goldsmith, a protégé of Alessandro Castellani who, in 1860, sent him to London to establish a branch of Casa Castellani. Giuliano settled down with his wife and son and opened a workshop on Frith street where this ring was made. In the early years his jewels were retailed through the firms of Hunt & Roskell, C.F. Hancock, and Robert Phillips, until he eventually opened his own shop in 1874. He caused something of a sensation on account of his spectacular revivalist enamel work, often in the renaissance or archaeological styles, but upon executing designs by some of the prominent Pre-Raphaelites, Giuliano transcended into yet headier realms:
“The collaboration of these artists* with Giuliano was to result in an elegant - even exquisite - hybrid: not Victorian revivalist, not Art Nouveau, not Arts and Crafts, but a style hors catégorie which had its roots in the Renaissance both formally and technically. It might be said to be the purest ‘artistic’ style, since the stylistic borrowings are submerged in the personal manner of the artists themselves the pastiche element so prevalent in nineteenth century jewellery is for once overcome.” [‘Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts Jewellery’ by Charlotte Gere & Geoffrey C. Munn, 1989]
We found this ring on the long road home from Scotland, tucked away in a small provincial antiques centre labelled simply "Victorian banded agate and pearl ring, 18ct gold, Scottish". I clocked the maker's mark straight away and, having checked with a handful of dealers and experts (cross-referenced with examples in the Met and the British Museum), confirmed the C.G in an oval cartouche is indeed one of Giuliano's early London marks (his second, after the Castellani-style crossed CG).
*Edward Burne-Jones, E.J. Poynter, etc.
***
Era: Victorian, circa 1870
Ring size: L 1/2 or 6 US. Resizeable for £55
Width at head: 6.2mm
Stones: Natural Pearl & Banded Agate
Marks: Stamped 18, Giuliano's second mark C.G in oval cartouche
Condition: Great antique condition, light wear consistent with age
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This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable)
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Shipping
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Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Shipments
US Customs now charges a 10% tariff on all UK shipments as they cross the border. We will pay this customs charge on your behalf. Import duties remain 0% on antiques.
[Last updated: 28th February 2026]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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An inscription can be added inside the band, where space allows. Add 3-6 weeks to shipping times Add a note in the cart* with your desired size and/or inscription
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