Victorian mysterious triple (!) poison ring with enamel

Here it is! Something we have never seen before: a poison ring with three different hidden sections. We can only wonder what they were used for..... We let the pictures speak for themselves.

A poison ring is a type of finger ring having a hinged bezel that conceals a compartment said to have held in poison. Although no such use has been factually established, there are historical (e.g. Hannibal's death) and literary references to such rings. It has been surmised that the compartment may usually have contained perfume or a relic.

Antique jewelry object group: rings

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French origin.

Style: early Victorian
(more info on styles)

Period: ca. 1840
(events and facts in 1840)

Material: platinum and 18K yellow gold
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Precious stones: Three paste stones. (also called strass) Four seed pearls
(more info on precious stones)

Hallmarks: Illegible remains and a Dutch hallmark representing the letter "i" (1852-1589) for articles that were already old or antique when given to be checked by the essay officed or antique when given to be checked by the essay office (used from 1906 till 1953).
(more info on hallmarks)

Condition: very good condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: hinged door of top part of ring 1.30 cm (0.51 inch) x 1.15 cm (0.45 inch)

Weight: 7.20 gram (4.63 dwt)

Ring size Continental: 55 & 17½ , Size US 7¼ , Size UK: O

Resizing: This ring cannot be resized because of the way it is made.
(more info on ring sizes)

Reference Nº: 10209-0766

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

See also our:
victorian rings, all our rings, early Victorian jewelry with enamel, jewelry with hidden spaces, yellow gold jewelry, jewelry with strass/paste, jewelry with pearls, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

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