Georgian Rococo Garnet Half Hoop Ring

A wonderful c. 1750-80 Georgian late Rococo half-hoop ring, with a rather large gallery of foiled garnet and quartz crystals in a silver-topped 18k gold setting. A similar five stone half-hoop from the same period is illustrated on p. 32 of “Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830” by Ginny Redington Dawes with Olivia Collings. An all diamond ring of this form, c. 1750, is in the Victoria & Albert Museum (inv. M.20-1996). For c. 1760 Rococo rings with similar setting structure, refer to cat. 950, 952, 953 from “Rings: Alice and Louis Koch Collection” by Anna Beatriz Chadour. By 1750, gemstone rings made throughout Europe had typified into a recognizable form, defined by a decorated ring head posterior (most often rayed), distinctive “c” curl head-to-shoulder junctions, and grooved shoulder-to-shank junctions. These rings have an architectural quality, in that most surfaces are ornamented—even those typically ‘hidden’ from view—and every viewing angle presents a surprisingly unique profile. This quality, a continuation of Renaissance and Baroque ring making, would largely disappear by the Neoclassical era. Due to their age and delicate construction, rings of this type often survive with repairs or details rubbed out. The present ring is in a lovely condition, with details well-preserved and still crisp. The gemstone hoop is also bigger than expected, offering excellent finger coverage.
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