Early Victorian Navette Ring
An incredible early Victorian navette ring dating from the 1840s. The head is wider, chunkier, than most navette rings you see from this period, and the combination of gemstones - a blood-red garnet centre bordered by creamy white pearls - brought to mind "The Wound of Christ" from the The Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg, Duchess of Normandy (dated before 1349, currently in the collection of the Met Museum). The Victorians were (obviously) mad about symbolism and the past, and I just wonder if this ring's maker, too, was thinking of this Wound of Christ...
"With its almond shape, vertical orientation, and confrontational placement, the wound of Christ in the Prayer Book of Bonne of Luxembourg might remind a modern viewer of the Eye of Sauron (known from J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings). Medieval viewers likely overlaid other associations onto such images of Christ’s wound. The change in the wound’s orientation from a diagonal slit to a vertical opening and the isolation of the wound as an almond-shaped device transform it into an image strongly reminiscent of medieval representations of the vulva and the vaginal opening. Similar imagery persists in modern visual culture, such as Judy Chicago’s 1979 installation The Dinner Party. This association of Christ’s side wound with female reproductive organs has connections with mystical writings that eroticized the body of Christ and that emphasized its nurturing and generative qualities." - Source
After all, this ring was made just as England welcomed its first Queen since Elizabeth 1. It's crafted in 18 carat gold with elegant trifurcated shoulders and a strong presence on the finger.
Era: Victorian, circa 1840
Ring size: L or 5.75 US. Resizeable for £55
Head: 16.8mm by 11.8mm
Stones: Garnet and Seed Pearls
Marks: None, tested as 18ct 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)
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Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
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Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are 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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