The snake is one of the oldest motifs in jewelry history - from the ancient Egytian ouroboros to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's 1839 engagement, the snake was used to represent life and death, rebirth, passion, and power. Victoria and Albert's choice of an emerald-set snake as an engagement ring set off a widespread surge in popularity that lasted through her reign, finding this beautifully modelled version near the turn of the 20th century. This lovely and generously-sized ring is set with a bright old diamond, and though some past alterations (a narrowing of the back of the band and a resizing) have made the rear of the ring less handsome than its front, it is as a result very comfortable and remains very charming.

Fine antique condition; loss of width in back of band from past resizing and alterations, loss of hallmark detail as a result. Ring has a moderately recent polish.

Details:
• 18k yellow gold, with faint British hallmarks partially lost to resizing
• Size 9 5/8 (slightly out of round, and fits closer to 9.5 due to width) and can be resized within reason, though resizing may require further altering to blend back of band
• One early old European cut diamond approximately 0.12 carats
• Face of ring measures 10mm at widest, with a rise of 3.5mm; back of band measures 4.6mm wide and 0.5mm thick
• 4.7g