Antique Art Nouveau Ring Figural Reclining Woman 18k Gold Diamond French (6498)

Antique Art Nouveau ring. 18k gold and diamond. Made in France, circa 1895 -1905. Unisex - Man or woman.

Measurements: Weighs 6.6 grams. US ring size 4.75. (see below). Rose cut diamond approximately 0.15ct.

Description : Figural ring in the form of a reclining woman, resting on a flower. Buds and flowers around the edge and an open flower set with a rose cut diamond. The ring is typically Art Nouveau with elongated, languorous forms with a jointly human and floral theme. Very sturdy, strong design makes the ring wearable on a daily basis. Wear with jeans or your smart suits. Can be worn by a man as a pinkie ring. 

A thin line on the inside of the shank only, hints that the ring was previously resized. This is born out by the existence of a single hallmark as opposed to at least two, which is the French norm.

Marks: The oval mark on the outside of the shank is typically the French owl mark for 18k gold. There are no other marks. We acid tested the gold to double-check metal purity.

Condition: Minor wear commensurate with age and use. As mentioned, shank has been resized. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.

Page 243 of the book Pariser Schmuck shows a ring with two figures resting on poppy flowers made by Louis Aucoc 1899-1900. The design bears more than a passing resemblance to this ring with the languid, extended poses of the women, the heads forming the bezel and the bodies forming part of the shoulders and shank of the ring.
Also, page 151 of the book Rings Through the Ages, shows a Louis Aucoc ring that is very similar to this one. See last 'photo.

THE STORY: At the end of the VIctorian era, more artistic people sought a more creative and imaginative style to the staid Victorians. Led by the master, Rene Lalique, the Art Nouveau style was born, combining a love of nature with extreme elegance and form. We should remember also that most jewelry was gifted during this period and the people who gave and received a ring like this must have been at the forefront of the creative world. THe patina of the ring shows us that over the course of many generations, this ring has been worn and loved. We can imagine the artistic environment that these people created and inhabited. Homes full of exciting philosophy, debate and art as well as extreme comfort, for only the wealthy could afford a unique jewel like this. The ring would be a great talking point, combining as it does pure sculpture and the themes of the day. A nude figure to be worn. Was it a woman or a man who wore it? Brave indeed. Now let your imagination take you to worlds gone bye as well as those to come and all the people who have shared in the aura of this little jewel.