Lost Owl Cosmic Egg Signet Ring
Omne vivum ex ovo - 'all life comes from an egg'
The Cosmic Egg (aka Orphic Egg, world egg, or mundane egg) is the life principle, found in the cosmogonies of many cultures and civilisations including in Proto-Indo-European mythology. It is the origin of the Universe, suddenly burst asunder. Hitherto a whole, it had yet contained everything existing and potential in the limited space of the shell. The germ of all creation; the primordial matriarchal world of chaos.
Custom engraved nicolo intaglio by Lost Owl. A Victorian signet ring with a hand carved sardonyx panel depicting Jacob Bryant's Orphic Egg (1774) with snake coiled around and head raised. The ring dates from the latter half of the 19th century, crafted in bright yellow gold with trifurcated shoulders.
Era: Victorian, circa 1880
Ring size: N or 6.75 US. Resize for £35
Head: 10.5mm by 8.3mm
Stone: Sardonyx
Marks: Stamped 9ct
Condition: Great antique condition
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.
Buying a Gift?
Leave a note at checkout and we'll include a handwritten note to the recipient. Just tell us what you'd like to say :)
More Questions?
Get in touch... There's a live chat at the bottom right of the page.
info@lostowl.com
An inscription can be added inside the band, where space allows. Add 2-3 weeks to shipping times
Add a note in the cart* with your desired size and/or inscription
*shopping cart, not the checkout