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18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring

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18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring

$1,250.00

Description

DATE: Georgian, c.1750

An incredible mid-18th Century betrothal ring formed as a snake. It's engraved with all of the symbols of the zodiac (twice) around the outside, and inside a horseshoe, a heart pierced by an arrow, a key, and a bell (again, twice). The symbols all represent love or luck, and the snake represents fertility - all the necessary ingredients for a long and happy marriage. It's likely, given the slightly crude nature of the craftsmanship, the unusually specific design, and that it's made of iron and not a precious metal, that this was a provincial commission, probably exchanged by relatively poor couple. Which makes it all the more remarkable that it's survived the best part of 300 years.

MEASUREMENTS 

Width at head: 7.3mm

Width of band: 3.3mm

WEIGHT 

1.7g

MARKS 

No marks present

CONDITION 

Very good

18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring 18th Century Zodiac Snake Betrothal Ring