Antique 15CT Victorian fede ring with ruby heart and pearls
A mid-Victorian gold gimmel ring with hands that clasp tenderly and assuredly around a pearl-trimmed ruby heart. The heart is marvelous: a purple ruby corrundum with violet tones. The ruby is original to the ring and set with a closed - and likely foiled - back. The ruby is framed with eight seed pearls in various states of wear, also all original to the ring. I considered replacing some of the pearls, but decided against it. I leave it up to you! The mounting is a 15 CT blend of yellow and rose gold, with rose gold coming through more obviously on the shank. The hands are textured and nicely articulated. This was originally a compartment ring, with a little crystal-lidded compartment on the underside of the face. The crystal and the contents are now absent, but the compartment remains.
"Fede" is the the Italian word for "trust." The hands, and especially the addition of the heart and keepsake compartment, suggest that this was given to a romantic partner as a token of love. Gimmel and fede rings were used to contract marriages as early as the 16th century in Europe.
Measurements: Size 10 US, 2.9 grams. This ring may be sized.
Era: Victorian, ca. 1850s-1860s
Markings: Absent, but tests around 15CT gold
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