A Victorian-era, five-band, harem ring, modeled in 18k rosy yellow gold, set with natural, blue turquoise cabochons (four) and natural seed pearls (eight). This ring's five, separate, fully-round bands are trapped inside the sliding, gem-set panels that create the ring face. These three lozenge shaped "sliders" are garter-like and beautifully constructed— the cabochon gems are bead-set, low, into their channels. This is a fine old example of this style, which we usually see imitated in later, revival periods. We especially love the many numbers at work here (five, three, four, twelve, and eight)— because of them this ring feels a little mysterious, and also meaningful, like a code or an important equation!
The Victorians were fascinated by machines, andby jewelry with mechanical parts, so this ring'sfive bandsmove inside their restraintsfor the sake of curiosity,but this designalsoserves to keep a stack of slender rings orderly.It also makes avisually-wide band very comfortable to wear.
18k gold
Turquoise
Pearl
1890 - 1900
US 4 1/2
Ring face measures approx10.2 mm at center; shank (all bands together) measures approx 8 mm at the shoulder and tapers to approx 5.1 mm at the base; individual shanks (5) measures approx 1.1 mm; gems (12) measure approx 2 mm.