This is a 'poison ring', also called a 'pillbox ring' or a 'funeral ring'. People like Lucrezia Borgia used them for poison; others kept medications in them, others a lock of hair or the ashes of a lost loved one.

It is Spanish. Beautifully made in the Moroccan style, made (purchased) near Granada around 1930.

The ring is of pure silver.

The stone is an oval of smooth dark emerald green African Malachite, elegantly swirled with darker green. It rises from the setting to 1/4". It is 5/8" long and 1/2" at its widest point.

Below the stone is a 1/4" band of plain silver. At the base of that band, there are 3 tiny braids of silver, for a total of 1/8".

On one side, there is a 1/4" circle of silver surrounded by 5 1/8" (or slightly smaller) balls of silver with the hinge on top, which is just over 1/4" across.

On the other side, there are the five little balls of silver but, above them, is the 3/8" latch to undo the top of the ring.

The ring opens to a total width of 1 1/8" and there's quite a lot of room in there. The surface inside appears to be painted; it could be enamel. It does look like someone kept something in it.

The band, which is 1/8" wide, was soldered onto the base of the ring. It is currently size 7 but can be re-sized.

There is nothing on it to indicate the maker.

Its total height from the surface of the finger is 5/8". Its total height is 1 1/4". Its total width is 1".

Save for tiny bits of wear on the inside of the compartment, this ring is in mint condition.

For more, go to my Ebay Store at https://www.ebay.ca/str/starcanadianseller

Please note: I do not accept returns. All sales are final.