✅ SOLVED Solid 18K Gold and its Victorian - but what is it?

[randazzo1]

Solid 18K Gold and it's Victorian - but what is it?

Can't figure this one out. Its solid gold (about 18K) and has typical victorian black enamel work. There are also two small pearls set it in it. It consists of a ring (kind of like a wedding ring) attached to a chain that is then attached to an adjustable mesh band. The band has fringed gold chains that keep it from slipping out of its clasp. Very odd. It weighs about 9 grams.

For size reference - see my index finger.

Here were some thoughts. It could be a lizard or bird leash - this sounded crazy to me, but apparently some wealthy woman used to carry around lizards and birds from the far reaches of the British empire to demonstrate wealth and taste. It could be a special two piece ring.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Even as to age, style etc. Purchased it in an auction lot for almost nothing.

Thanks in advance for your insights. Rudyard.

 

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[Davo]

Special two piece ring, like these:
The Now: Obsessed With: Made Her Think Chain Rings

 

[yaxthri]

I like this one. Waiting to see what it is... I have noclue, too...

 

[Itsmine]

Looks like an ankle bracelet w/toe ring, to me. Very nice one to boot. Or could be a small slave bracelet too. (childrens?) Looks awfully expensive for a child though.

 

[Breezie]

What is the length of the chain? What is the length of the wide one? Knowing the length of these 2 will determine if it is for 2 fingers or for 1 finger and the wrist. Breezie

 

[randazzo1]

What is the length of the chain? What is the length of the wide one? Knowing the length of these 2 will determine if it is for 2 fingers or for 1 finger and the wrist. Breezie

Ok - the little chain that connects them is a little over 2". The mesh thing - if completely stretched out - would be just under 5". If you wear the mesh thing as a ring - there is just about 2.5" of over hang including the fringes.

Thanks again.

 

[Davo]

Maybe the mesh thing is for two fingers. You'll see all kinds of bizarre configurations of rings if you look around. Some start to take on the appearance of brass knuckles...

 

[randazzo1]

Davo - The mesh part does work on two fingers. It looks odd, but it's not a bad idea. It completely restricts the use of the two fingers, but I don't know that the victorians were all that concerned with ergonomics.

 

[Bryanhashemi]

it looks like it could be from India. Doesnt look European to me.

 

[Breezie]

Ok - the little chain that connects them is a little over 2". The mesh thing - if completely stretched out - would be just under 5". If you wear the mesh thing as a ring - there is just about 2.5" of over hang including the fringes.

Thanks again.

After seeing the lengths, I think it is a Victorian ladies ring and bracelet combination piece. People were much smaller and shorter a hundred years ago. My wrist is 7 inches in diameter and from my ring finger to my wrist measures 3 1/2 inches, so it's not hard for me to believe your set could have fit a Victorian woman.

Speaking of smaller, I remember seeing a post on TNet where a guy had found a Civil War era stirrup. He thought it must have been for a child because not even the end of his tennis shoe would fit in it. Hopefully I can find that post with the picture.

Also, both of my Eastlake Victorian beds had to have the side rails lengthened because they were too short for even me to sleep comfortably, and I'm right at 5'8".

I have a few questions: Did you dig this or find it at a store? You said it was 18K; is it marked or did you test it? Is both the mesh and the ring 18K. Are the pearls real?

Breezie

 

[Breezie]

I found the 2 pics of the stirrup showing how much smaller people were 100 yrs. ago. (These pics were posted by Garabaldi back in 2009. )

 

[Davo]

I think a 2" chain is not nearly long enough to connect a ring to a bracelet. You have to allow some slack for movement. Noob question: How do we know that this piece is old, and not just Victorian-styled?

 

[Breezie]

I think a 2" chain is not nearly long enough to connect a ring to a bracelet. You have to allow some slack for movement. Noob question: How do we know that this piece is old, and not just Victorian-styled?[/QUOTE]

As far as you thinking a 2" chain is not nearly long enough to connect a ring to a bracelet, let me give you some statistics:
During the Victorian era (1837 to 1901) the AVERAGE waist size for a woman was only 18 inches. What size is your pants in the waist? Now think about trying to fit into something that only allows 18 inches. Tight and fitted was the trend during that time. Women spent at least an hour being bound up into corsets to make their waist as small as possible. In 2004, the AVERAGE waist size for a woman was 34 inches. As I stated above, people were smaller and shorter 100 yrs. ago so if today I can measure 3 1/2 inches from my ring to my wrist, then I think 2 inches is possible.

BUT because I cannot see it in person, my conclusions are totally based on the poster's information and photos.

Dress Culture in Late Victorian Women's Fiction: Literacy, Textiles, and ... - Christine Bayles Kortsch - Google Books

As far your other question: How do we know that this piece is old, and not just Victorian-styled?

We don't. We have to go on what the poster says and the photos. Breezie

 

[Silver Searcher]

I don't think the ring at the end is a finger ring, but rather a bezel for a coin, like the one below, but I don't have a clue what the find is

 

[Breezie]

I don't think the ring at the end is a finger ring, but rather a bezel for a coin, like the one below, but I don't have a clue what the find is

That's a good idea, but doesn't a bezel have a screw type thingie at the top to tighten it so the coin doesn't fall out? Maybe the OP will tell us if there is a screw at the loop. Breezie

 

[Paleopilot]

 

[Silver Searcher]

That's a good idea, but doesn't a bezel have a screw type thingie at the top to tighten it so the coin doesn't fall out? Maybe the OP will tell us if there is a screw at the loop. Breezie

Some do Breezie, some have tags to hold the coin, and some just snap in I did find this similar piece, for a thumb and fore finger.

 

[Paleopilot]

I think we figured what it is! They were made in every configuration imaginable! I believe it's a Scarf Ring!

 

[randazzo1]

Thank you all very much for your input on this one. I missed the last several posts.

The entire piece is better than 14k and most hits on 18k gold. The pearls are real. No markings whatsoever, but I'm familiar with precious metals and confident in the test results.

It was not dug. I spend most of the winter hunting at garage / estate sales.

 

[randazzo1]

Regarding the age of the piece - absolutely Victorian. The links, enamel work, lack of markings, seed pearls and overall style are dead giveaways. With experience, you can spot them from a mile away.