Lot 110
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, ca. 9th to 12th century CE. A superb gold-silver alloy ring with a raised ovoid bezel face that contains a ruby! The solid band contains 51% silver and a 45.9 % gold content (equivalent to 11K+); the rounded, stirrup shaped shank slightly expands at the shoulders, supporting the cup shaped bezel. The ruby stone is lightly polished and displays a star-like asterism- a refracted / optical reflective quality. This ring is in superb condition and wearable! Javanese art from this period often depicts people wearing two rings on each hand and a ring on each foot. Size of bezel: 0.33" L (0.8 cm); band opening: 0.67" Diameter (1.7 cm); US ring size: 5.25; electrum quality: 51% (equivalent to 11K+) gold; 45.9% silver; weight: 4.8 grams
Javanese society during this time were known for their proficiency in high-quality gold craftsmanship, alloying gold and silver to create both beautiful and durable pieces. The gold-silver alloy known as electrum or green-gold was often used for finger rings - such as this piece - to endure everyday wear, the silver strengthen the malleable gold to prevent bending. Javanese metalsmiths were adept at producing highly aesthetic pieces with particular alloys depending on the function of the final piece. Gold smithing was a highly regarded skill and art in Java, and the ways that gold purity was determined (rubbing on a touchstone, beating or hammering, or melting, etc.) became metaphors for human qualities and virtues.
Provenance: private Boynton Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-Susan Ollemans collection, London, UK
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#177539
- Condition: Small nick and chip to ruby. Indentation and wear / rubbing along bezel rim. Minor nicks to interior of ring band. Superb condition and wearable!
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