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The Piece
Auction Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Age Circa: Art Nouveau C. 1890 - 1910
Markings: 14k on the inside of the band
Country of Origin: Russia
Brand: Unknown
Gram Weight: 4.0 Grams
Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold
Metal Melt Value: $100.00 (Value All-Inclusive Weight)
Material: --
Main Stone: Ruby
Main Stone Measurements/Color: 1.19 Carats, Light red hue
Accent Stone: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --
Stone Treatment: The stones appear to be untreated, but we are not certified Gemologists and cannot be sure.
Stone Cuts: Round Faceted
Ring Size: 6
Sizable by your local jeweler: Yes
Item Measurements: The ring measures 0.60" in diameter and raises 0.50" off of the finger when worn.
Notable Features: This ring was made in the Princess Ballerina style during the Art Nouveau era. The Russian Ballerina style of ring was made popular during the Czarist rule of Imperial Russia when Czar Nicholas traveled through southwest Asia and encountered the Harem style of ring from Southeast Asia. This style became popular in Russia among the elite and became known as the Princess/Ballerina style of jewelry.
The ring features three beautiful tiers of round faceted rubies with a large ruby stone at the top. The rubies are all roughly the same size throughout the tiers of the harem design, and feature a semi-translucent light red hue, which gives this ring a gorgeous color. The gold design of this piece features 14k yellow gold prong settings for the rubies which hold them in place perfectly and a scrolling filigree design along the bottom of the ring! The under gallery of the ring also features a scrolling filigree design and the piece is finished off with a smooth polished surface. Please don't miss your chance to own this beautiful and elegant piece of history.
Damage: Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Art Nouveau era, 1890-1910, was also called "La Belle Epoque" in French, which translates to "A Beautiful Time.” This was very true due to the gorgeous designs that came out of this period. This era focused on women and the beauty of nature and the pieces were often large. Enamel was a common material used in Art Nouveau jewelry as the period was more about the importance of the design over the materials used to create it. The Art Nouveau period happened before the start of the first world war, when mass manufacturing took over production of many products, including some jewelry.
Princess Harem rings were very special rings made during the Art Nouveau & Art Deco Period that usually were made with a high rise mounting piece and multiple gem stones. The rings were made with only the best materials and metals, as they were reserved for their name sake - royalty such as Princesses or other high-ranking members of society. For this reason, these gorgeous rings came with an extremely expensive price tag and were only worn by actual royalty, or members of high society.
Filigree metal working is a delicate form of art has been found as early as 3,000 BC in Mesopotamia. It was perfected by the Phoenicians and Etruscan civilizations between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. It involves stamping out a design in metal and hand bending and twirling threads, combined with tiny beads, until a final motif emerges. It is reminiscent of lace and considered one of the most difficult metal working processes. Filigree is still a very popular technique in India and Asia.
Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones, and are prized for their pink to blood red colors. The most valued hue of ruby is called blood-red, or pigeon blood, for the bright, rich hue it exhibits. The color of a ruby comes from the element chromium. Rubies have adorned royal and religious jewelry for centuries, and were especially esteemed in Asian countries like China and India, where they were thought to bring good fortune. Rubies are graded by color, clarity, cut, and carat. Rubies are often also evaluated on the basis of their geographic origin.
