Romantic Antique Entwined Snake Ring

The snake is one of the oldest motifs in jewelry history - from the ancient Egytian ouroboros to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's 1839 engagement, the snake was used to represent life and death, rebirth, passion, protection, and power. Victoria and Albert's choice of an emerald-set snake as an engagement ring set off a widespread surge in popularity that lasted through her reign, leaving us with a trove of golden ophidia hailing from the second half of the 19th century.

The sinewy body of the serpent has provided jewelry designers with great freedom of expression; iterations range from loose interpretations in form to hyperrealistic reptilia. This elegant pair has had some work done; their original bodies coiled around the finger and each other, but it appears that those bodies were time worn and replaced at some point with a half-band reshank.

Fair antique condition with wear in line with age and use, including evidence of past reshanking and repairs.

Details:
• 18k yellow gold, unstamped but tested
• Size 6 1/4 and could be resized within two sizes
• Two old European cut diamonds approximately 0.05ct each
• Face of ring measures 7.5mm wide, 11.9mm across, with a rise of 3.3mm; back of band measures 2.7mm wide and 0.7mm thick
• 2.7g