Description
Now reserved for J only – thank you!
This is a rare, hand crafted, statement ring showcasing a huge wood opal. It was made around 1900 and I have attributed it to Mary Thew, the Scottish Arts and Crafts maker, having several features typical in her work.
This unusual and very beautiful design has a pair of hammered leaves with twisting stalks on either shoulder of the ring. The stalks become part of the band so that there is a quadruple band in silver wire. In the centre of both leaves on each side, sits a gold ball, typical in Thew’s pieces.
The wood opal is tremendous and there is one section which flashes between red and green as the light hits it. Mary did take some lessons from Rhoda Wager and the use of different types of opals is very well documented. Interestingly, the reverse of the ring is hand hammered and it is lovely to see how the silver wires have been arranged in their fixing to this hammered section.
A large, possibly unique hand crafted piece of work from the early 20th century. Just fabulous! It measures as approx UK size N, US 6.75.
The wood opal alone measures 2.4cm by 1.7cm. I will send in a new gift box, as the box in the images is for display purposes only. Thank you!
