monumental Mexican silver and black stone "mask" Ring
Calling the vintage Mexican silver and black stone "mask" ring I am presenting here massive is not an exaggeration. It is not just the actual ring size (9.5 US) that makes it so; it is also the textured, solid setting, quite masculine in design, and the beautifully carved, stupendous effigy it houses. I am not sure what the stone is - I think it might be onyx but it could also be black agate. I am fascinated by its opaque gravity and the way its satin finish invites the touch. And what about those tendril-shaped, snake-like prongs that hold it in place? Breath-taking...
Size / Weight: sz 9.5 US (re-sizable by your jeweler but I don't think it could be made too small); face is 1 1/4" N-S by approx.1" E-W; just shy of 1" rise; 35.2 grams
Hallmarks / Date: simply marked "925" but there is absolutely no doubt about the ring's Mexican origins; 1970s, I will suggest
Condition: very good vintage with commanding presence - this is a ring for the daring dresser but it can just as easily be displayed as a miniature work of art; no damage and no repairs noted except for a very small area of roughness on the "mask's" nose - not readily visible to the naked eye, it is not offensive at all and I would say, it adds "character" rather than take away from the piece's imposing appearance
Inv# 15850
Calling the vintage Mexican silver and black stone "mask" ring I am presenting here massive is not an exaggeration. It is not just the actual ring size (9.5 US) that makes it so; it is also the textured, solid setting, quite masculine in design, and the beautifully carved, stupendous effigy it houses. I am not sure what the stone is - I think it might be onyx but it could also be black agate. I am fascinated by its opaque gravity and the way its satin finish invites the touch. And what about those tendril-shaped, snake-like prongs that hold it in place? Breath-taking...
Size / Weight: sz 9.5 US (re-sizable by your jeweler but I don't think it could be made too small); face is 1 1/4" N-S by approx.1" E-W; just shy of 1" rise; 35.2 grams
Hallmarks / Date: simply marked "925" but there is absolutely no doubt about the ring's Mexican origins; 1970s, I will suggest
Condition: very good vintage with commanding presence - this is a ring for the daring dresser but it can just as easily be displayed as a miniature work of art; no damage and no repairs noted except for a very small area of roughness on the "mask's" nose - not readily visible to the naked eye, it is not offensive at all and I would say, it adds "character" rather than take away from the piece's imposing appearance
Inv# 15850
Calling the vintage Mexican silver and black stone "mask" ring I am presenting here massive is not an exaggeration. It is not just the actual ring size (9.5 US) that makes it so; it is also the textured, solid setting, quite masculine in design, and the beautifully carved, stupendous effigy it houses. I am not sure what the stone is - I think it might be onyx but it could also be black agate. I am fascinated by its opaque gravity and the way its satin finish invites the touch. And what about those tendril-shaped, snake-like prongs that hold it in place? Breath-taking...
Size / Weight: sz 9.5 US (re-sizable by your jeweler but I don't think it could be made too small); face is 1 1/4" N-S by approx.1" E-W; just shy of 1" rise; 35.2 grams
Hallmarks / Date: simply marked "925" but there is absolutely no doubt about the ring's Mexican origins; 1970s, I will suggest
Condition: very good vintage with commanding presence - this is a ring for the daring dresser but it can just as easily be displayed as a miniature work of art; no damage and no repairs noted except for a very small area of roughness on the "mask's" nose - not readily visible to the naked eye, it is not offensive at all and I would say, it adds "character" rather than take away from the piece's imposing appearance
Inv# 15850