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| Ring of Gold with Micromosaic Insets Italy, c. 1870 The Gilbert Collection The Victoria & Albert Museum |
In
the 1870s European jewelers looked to antiquities for inspiration. Most famously, the Italian firm of Castellani
farmed Italy’s many centuries of artistic excellence to find new ways to create
handsome jewels. During this time, Italy
was finding a new European market for their exquisite micromosaics. This art-form, long a favorite souvenir for
tourists, found its onto all manner of decorative objects and jewels.
This
gold and micromosaic ring with a depiction of an archaic mask was made in Italy in the 1870s and though similar to
the work of Castellani was most likely not made by the firm. Hence, the artist is unknown. The ring, one piece of an impressive matching
parure, is part of the monumental
collection of gold, jewels, and other decorative objects amassed by Sir Arthur
and Rosalinde Gilbert.
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