Art Nouveau Enameled Bow Conversion Ring

A very pretty c. 1900s Art Nouveau 14k gold bow, enameled in various shades of pinks and whites, and set with old cut diamonds. Originally a watch pin, this bow has been professionally laser welded to a good quality ring shank with a raised mount. An antique old European cut diamond of similar size, color, and clarity has been added to the bottom of the bow as a dangling decorative element. The matte sheen of the enameling is quite attractive, resembling the tender skin of a ripe peach.

Bows became a popular jewelry motif in the 17th century, at the French court of Louis XIV. In particular, the bow-shaped brooch became so attached to Marquise de Sévigné, an aristocrat known for her witty letter writing and penchant for wearing fantastic bows, that the term “Sévigné brooch” is still used by jewelry scholars and collectors to describe 17th and 18th century jeweled bows. When worn by a lady low on the bodice, a bow of feminine allure, playfulness, and flirtation.