Rare Antique Pyramid Ring Enamel Vibrant Table Cut Red Paste Glass Faux Ruby 18 Gold French Bague Tombeau? Pie Crust Bezel Green Ring Butt

ABOUT:

My mystery ring. This ring has been in my personal collection for many years. I know it's a special one because I look at hundreds of pieces of antique jewelry every day and have yet to see another one like this offered for sale. I'm sure this piece has many secrets unknown still to me and my hope in holding onto it for so long was with the thought that I'd some day come across another to be able to learn more definitive information about it.

It's certainly very old and uncommon, could even be museum worthy. When I first acquired it, I took it to a gemologist jeweler and appraiser of 60 years experience who thought the piece may be medieval but I don't see enough wear on the stone to suspect that, although the enamel shows quite a bit of age related wear.

I've also seen a handful of other pieces that are similar in design with the truncated pyramid ring face and enamel work that were described as 16th century or Renaissance pieces.

I do not specialize in that area to confirm that but what I do have a passion for is French regional jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries. So what I think it may be is something called a French "Tombeau Ring." There are one or two rare examples online (not offered for sale) but I had actually read about them several years ago in Mike Fieggen's "Traditional French Jewellery" book (see photos for example, I highly recommend this book!) I've been in touch with the author over the years as I am always looking to learn, and after reviewing photos, he also thought it may be the case here as well, that it is a French tombeau ring. And since I acquired it there in France, it is certainly not out of the question.

Georgian period or older, thus I suspect it is actually older than the Neo Renaissance / Renaissance Revival movement of the mid 1800s that it somewhat resembles. It looks positively ancient, with crazing lines to the enamel similar to what we see on very old pottery, and wear that is different than the normal flaking loss to the enamel that I typically see on Victorian era enamel pieces. Unique characteristics to the stone as well.

It actually tests on a gem tester as a spinel, and it has some hairlike and linear needle inclusions along with a smattering of darker inky spots. Since a gemologist told me it was glass though I am selling it as such to be safe as it is possible the setting is interfering with the gem tester... strange that it is giving a gemstone reading though. The mysteries continue... : )

Very uncommon also in that there is / was enameling inside the shank and inside on the underside of the ring head, with a peekaboo cutout behind the old table cut stone. Not often we see decorated and enameled "ring butts" (as we affectionately call them). I know this one is scarce, I know it’s old, I know it’s special, but I don’t want to make any claims about it being Renaissance without knowing for sure so I’m listing it with the information that is my best guess for it, because it does seem to match the French regional examples from the 18th century. We always wish we knew all the stories these pieces could tell and this is one I've wondered about for years. I'm just selling it based on what I paid for it, and for its rarity which is evident, as I don't have answers on the aforementioned points and I don't take my antique pieces apart to send them off for testing, as that would indeed destroy the rare piece.

All original condition, the stone in a highly saturated glowing red color with good sheen and polish overall. No hallmarks but tested as 18k in multiple places in multiple ways, some spots a bit higher in karat.

Antique box not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
It is a size 7. It weighs 4.9 grams.
The ring face is 12-13mm almost square. It is 7.4mm tall off the finger.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
A rare ring, plenty of wear to the enamel. It looks positively ancient but sold as is with no other claims. Despite the crazing, the enamel is still mostly complete on the vertical edges of the ring face with one center arabesque like design that has loss to the white enamel on the top half of the center peak. Quite a lot of loss to the enamel on the shank inside and out with just a few spots remaining. The back of the ring face retains the green enamel on the east and west sides, with loss to the circles on the north and south ends.

Under magnification the stone has tiny inky red spots smattered throughout with some crystal needles that can catch the light, again very old and uncommon fabrication to the glass as well. These things are not really eye visible except for when the needles catch the light at certain angles Some buildup around the pie crust and around the opening behind the stone but I didn't want to get it wet because must of the stone is encased in gold and I didn't want to cause spotting.

Some rub marks to the table facet edges of the stone but no real damage which is a pleasant surprise considering age. A faint scratch on the table that can catch the light, some build up in the setting, all these things are evident in the listing photos especially with the zoom feature which highlights wear much more than to the eye while wearing.

Evidence of a sizing but it's a sturdy beast with the stone very well set, a very heavy hand feel, so no real concerns with wearing it on the regular aside from gradual loss to the enamel possible, but it's a really unique and interesting piece.

Please also note that I take some photos / videos in the sunshine because it captures the lovely color and sparkle, but it also highlights any surface wear, scratches, abrasions, buildup or inclusions that can catch the light, making these things appear worse than they would with normal day to day wear. : ) Hopefully the pics in all lightning conditions help as they serve as part of the description.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com - I often have more pictures uploaded there.

Box #mq.4^2