Description
Antique Devil ring made in 18 karat rose gold and silver. The oval niello silver tray is decorated with a pipe-smoking devil, highlighted in a medallion.
Originally, the ring tray probably belonged to another piece of jewelry, a pin for example, before being transformed into an 18 karat gold ring to form a men’s ring.
This symbol of the devil surrounded by an arabesque, could mean, in music, the tuning of the “triton”. A chord called “Diabolus In Musica”, which has been assimilated in popular culture as an evil melody for invoking the devil. It’s a chord that has been banned in music for centuries.
Niellage or niellure is the skill of a goldsmith which consists in applying to gold, silver or copper, a black substance in encrustation. This substance is called niello (or niello, from the Latin nigellus meaning “blackened”), a black metallic sulphide that includes copper, silver, lead or borax.
About our ring, the design of the devil was previously carved out of the silver, then filled with metal sulphide paste and brought to the fire to melt the niello.
Thus, after a delicate polishing, this ring offers a formidable contrast between the black devil of niello and the shiny aspect of silver.
Work from the 19th century.
Eagle’s head and maker’s mark illegible
Finger size 58.5 EU or 8.5 US. Possible to change size
Head length: 19 mm
Head width: 12 mm
Weight: 3.39 gr
