Many years ago I read an account of the discovery of the tomb of Queen Puabi in the Biblical City of Ur. This city was located in southern Mesopotamia on the banks of the Euphrates River. The country we now know as Iraq.

The tomb had been untouched for 4500 years. What fascinated me as a goldsmith was that I was part of a craft that stretched back so many centuries. The burial gold jewellery found on Queen Puabi was not only elaborate but sophisticated in design and craftsmanship.

Since reading this account many years ago I have studied and collected information on the history of the making and wearing of Finger Rings. My design Collection of Love & Posy Rings introduced to our Gallery some ten years ago was a direct result of my fascination in this area.

This new collection of gold rings derived from my interest in such history is called the Classic Collection as it features my interpretation and innovation on the design of five interesting historical gold rings.



Michael Wilson

  
 

Angel Ring

This ring is an innovation on a Neo-Renaissance ring. The original ring is in gold and said to have been designed for a Bishop 1889. It featured a faceted amethyst flanked by guardian angels. It was by ecclesiastical goldsmith Armand Calliat who worked on commission for noted Parisian Jeweller Joseph Chaumet.

18ct Gold with Burmese Ruby. 1.92ct Price $2500.
     
 

Arabesque Ring

This ring is an innovation on a Il-Khanid Dynasty design from Iran in the 13th Century.
The original ring is in gold and features indecipherable Naskhi inscriptions with spiral scrolls and arabesque ornament. The hoop is stirrup shaped with a triangular section

18ct Gold with Burmese Ruby 1.76ct and Black Diamonds 16 =.32ct Price $2700.
     
 

Art Nouveau Ring

The original gold ring features two reclining women with hands outstretched to hold a white and fine cognac diamond. The reclining forms are positioned to face opposite directions so as to form the hoop of the ring. Designed by Maison Vever c. 1890 . Paul and his brother Henri Vever established the famous French jewellery Firm. They won one of the two Grand Prix awarded for design at the 1889 Exposition Universelle.

18ct Gold with Diamond ,36ct and Cognac Diamond .36ct Price $4900.
     
 

Roman Ring

This ring is an innovation on an ancient Roman Gold Ring. The hoop is in the form of a pair of Canthari (drinking vessels) with a Lyre (ancient musical instruments) above each.
The original ring featured a portrait of Empress Faustina II, wife of Marcus Aurelius
(AD 161-176) in an intaglio engraved emerald.

18ct Gold with Burmese Ruby 1.73ct Price $2700.
     
 

Renaissance Ring

This design is an innovation on a renaissance period ring by an unknown maker.
The original ring is a gold hoop with cusped shoulders supporting quatrefoil bezel clasping a table cut ruby. The ring is not dissimilar to the work of noted French Goldsmith Etienne Delaune 1519 -1583.

18ct Gold with Diamond 1.01ct Price $7500.
     
Michael Wilson Galleries Pty Ltd. 725 Main Road, Eltham VIC 3095. Phone: 03 9439 3111 Fax: 03 9439 1662 Email: info@michaelwilson.com.au