DATE: Victorian, c.1890

A classic signet ring with a cute little enamelled twist. The face depicts a dog, my best guess being an Irish Terrier. Crafted in 18k gold throughout, circa 1890. 

Terriers got their name from the Latin ‘terra’ meaning ‘earth’. The dog was recognised by the Greeks and Romans, where they were seen to hunt by digging into the ground (earth) to hunt. However, during the 1870's Irish Terriers gained a lot of popularity when show dogs were a fashionable pastime and good money was to be made from the sale of puppies.

MEASUREMENTS 

Width of band: 2.7mm 

Head: 12.5 x 11.8mm

WEIGHT 

5.8g

MARKS 

Partial English hallmarks, tests as 18k gold 

CONDITION 

Excellent