Edwardian Googly-Eyed Snake Ring
The 19th century saw a craze for these silly-faced serpents... they often have cheeky grins spread wide across duck bill-like mouths, huge, gem-set brains, or - like this one - gigantic googly eyes. It's worth remembering that the goldsmiths making these pieces had likely never seen a snake, and with no photographs (let alone internet) to consult, they'd have to use Bestiaries - books that featured written descriptions and sometimes illustrations of animals (real or otherwise). Books that had themselves been created by people who may or may not have seen the animals in question. All that is something of a roundabout way of saying that these snakes - the Victorian Silly-Faced Serpents, as I like to call them - are hyperreal simulacra: representations of the real thing that became so ubiquitous, so powerful, that they became a real thing in themselves. This one's a little late to the game, dating from the early 20th century, but it certainly ticks the silly box. Oversized diamond-set eyes winking out from platinum bezels, and a high-carat yellow gold body that wraps thrice around the finger.
Era: Edwardian, circa 1910
Ring size: T 1/2 or 9.75 US. Resizeable for £55
Width at head: 9.9mm
Stones: Single Cut Diamonds
Marks: None, tested as 15ct gold
Condition: Great antique condition, light wear consistent with age
Full appraisal document provided with each item
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
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
[Last updated: September 15th, 2025]
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 2-3 weeks to shipping times
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