Victorian "Antinous" Moonstone Cameo Ring
Antinous carved into moonstone. It's not something I've seen done before, but the two make an exquisite pairing - both possess an ethereal, glowing and shimmering beauty that has resonated with us since ancient times. The ring dates from the Victorian period, circa 1880, with ten rose cut diamonds arranged in twos and threes around the moonstone, and an ornate gold band with carved orange blossom shoulder details. Crafted in 15 carat gold and silver.
Antinous was, famously, deified by Roman Emperor Hadrian following his premature death at 19. The Greek youth was Hadrian's favourite lover who lived and travelled by his side and even appeared in official artworks. After his death, Antinous became a symbol of Hadrian's pan-Hellenistic dream, and went on to be worshipped for centuries in both the Greek East and the Latin West.
Although often in the shadow of Ganymede, Antinous's legacy as a gay icon survived through the ages, as empires rose and fell; both men lived out their lives alongside figures of ultimate power, commanding love that transcended the mortal realm and caught the attention of the gods themselves. By the late 19th century, it was Antinous who lead the way - featuring in the works of Oscar Wilde, Fernando Pessoa and Marguerite Yourcenar, his image and his story proved irresistible to the European Grand Tourists. The workshops of Rome and Naples had long since incorporated his likeness into their repertoire of Classical figures and the cameos and intaglios were worn as a public, yet secretive, display of gay pride at a time when homosexuality was literally illegal.
Era: Victorian, circa 1880
Ring size: P or 7.5 US. Resizable for £35
Head Size: 14.8mm by 16.2mm
Stones: Diamonds and moonstone
Hallmarks: No marks present, tested as 15ct gold
Condition: Great antique condition, the head and band are possibly a later marriage
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
Express shipping is free of charge and carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
UPS Express (International)
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
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Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£35 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
A 25% deposit will be 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, 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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alex@lostowl.jewelry