Victorian Horseshoe Snake Conversion Ring

A stunning and unique antique conversion ring, consisting of a c. 1890s Victorian snake-encircled Persian turquoise cabochon fitted within a c. 1900s horseshoe pave-set with mine cut diamonds and natural sapphires. These decorative elements were taken from antique stickpins, laser welded together, and laser welded yet again to a heavy 14k gold shank with elegant trifurcated shoulders.

Horseshoe jewelry became wildly popular during the late Victorian era, a time when mysticism, spiritualism, and superstition entered popular belief and culture. There was great public interest in the idea of the supernatural and the occult; seances became a fad, and a number of people gained renown for being “spiritual mediums” capable of communicating with ghosts. Amidst this ghastly atmosphere of supposed hauntings and paranormal happenings, horseshoe jewelry became popular for their apparent ability to ward off evil spirits, demons, and misfortunes.

The snake motif traces its popularity to the early 19th century, when interest in classical antiquity and Egyptology revived popular interest in the snake as a symbol for eternity (as opposed to the classic biblical interpretation). Victorians came to view the serpent as a rebus for unending, eternal love.