Elegant "Toi-et-Moi" Ring with Pearl & Old European Cut Diamond, ca. 1920

Rings with delicately curved rails, at the ends of which precious gemstones or pearls are presented, first appeared around 1900. Inspired by the dynamic forms of Art Nouveau, this jewelry fashion quickly became a great success. It is no wonder that such designs remained fashionable until the 1940s, despite all other changes in taste. This ring has a pearl and a half-carat old-cut diamond between its arms. The ring band seems to run between the two protagonists like a winding river, yet it does not separate the pearl and the diamond, but rather delicately connects them. The juxtaposition of the two elements, the pearl and the diamond, identifies the ring as a so-called "toi-et-moi" piece of jewelry. The genre of these "you-and-me" pieces of jewelry were always gifts of love. In the imagination of the time, the man and woman stand opposite each other as lovers; recognizable as independent elements, yet firmly connected by their feelings and symbolically united in a piece of jewelry. The dynamically curved ring band is made of light platinum. The shoulders are also set with small octagonal diamonds. The materials used, the workmanship and the shape of the ring allow us to date it to around 1920. It is in very good condition and a wonderful piece that would make an excellent gift for a loved one.

Estimate:£1,591.46

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