gold ring with micro carving

An 18k gold “Souvenir” ring with a micro carving, an oval ring bezel, protected under glass, with a translucent blue glass background and set in a gold ring. The delicate sculpture shows a lady leaning on a cartouche bearing the inscription “Souvenir”, framed by flowering plants and stylised trees. The composition reflects the sentimental and commemorative fashion of the late 18th century, in which the themes of memory, affection and mourning were expressed in miniature carvings, sentimental miniature paintings and decorative hair and gold work. The shoulders of the gold ring band are engraved with linear and geometric ornaments, and on the shank is a later French hallmark, French or German, circa 1790.

weight: 4.1 g
dimensions bezel: 2.4 × 1.6 cm
ring size: 19.5 mm / 9.5 US

This ring is an example of the refined craftsmanship of European sentimental jewellery from the period of the French Revolution and the Directoire, combining fine relief carving with vibrant glass backgrounds to achieve remarkable visual depth. Such jewellery was exchanged as a token of friendship or remembrance and often featured inscriptions that underscored its function as a personal keepsake.