Victorian Era OMC Diamond & Ruby Grotesque Demon Face Ring in 14k Gold

A rare and wonderful Victorian era ring, modeled in 14k yellow gold, as a grotesque's face, with a hooked, bulbous nose and a split-whiskered chin. This devilish fellow holds a small, sparkling, old mine cut diamond in his snickering gob. His ruby eyes flash under heavy eyelids, and his fleshy "horns" unfurl, in waves, becoming part of the ring’s ornate, curling, shoulder decor. The curling, hand-pierced decor flows into the ring's broad flat shank. This frightening mask ring is a rarity— in fact, it is unusual to find fully-carved, figural rings of any sort (lions, snakes, maidens, angels, etc.) that began their lives as rings. This old baddie was worn and well-loved by some Victorian-era rake, as evidenced by the all-over softening of the finer details. It is marked 14k for purity and for the NY maker Wheeler & Co.

Materials

14k gold
Diamond
Ruby

Age

c. 1900

Size

US 11

This ring can be resized (down to US 8); to add resizing to your order, visit our services section. 

Dimensions

Ring face measures approx 14.1 mm; shank measures approx 6.2 mm at the shoulder and tapers to approx 5 mm at the base; rubies measure approx 1.4 mm; diamond measures approx 2.4 mm (diamond weight is approx .06 carats).