This 18k gold early Victorian intaglio ring features a griffin beautifully carved into a dark reddish brown agate. In this classic rendition of the griffin, the winged beast has a curved tail and rests its paws on the remnants of a corinthian capitol. The intaglio is set in a bezel with rubbed over edges that frame the agate. The band has carved out shoulders that fade at the base of the ring and delineate the ring’s shape. When pressed into a seal, the fine intricacies of the intaglio’s carvings are even more visible.
The griffin is a mythical creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion and the head, wings, and talons of an eagle. The are known as the guardians of the divine and represent power, wisdom, and courage. They are great protectors of whatever they guard, whether it is a human, place, or treasure. This ring can be worn as a talisman for bravery, strength, and protection.
The ring is marked on the interior as 18k gold and has the maker’s mark J.F. The date marks are worn and hard to read, but we were able to see three castles and the letter R or L. We suspect these are the marks for Exeter, England and 1833.
The face of the stone measures 1/2” x 5/8”. The ring weighs 6.07 grams.
Ring size 7.
