Victorian Black Enamel Mourning Ring engagement rings Medusa carved from a single

Medusa carved from a single piece of pale pink conch shell - the most subtle of hues

would make it the oldest surviving fragment of a western European stringed instrument (although images of Greek lyres are much older)

Era: Art Deco circa 1920Length: 8 inchesClasp: 9

a wire-strung instrument that requires immense skill and dexterity to play

Victorian Black Enamel Mourning Ring engagement rings Medusa carved from a singleStriking antique mourning ring dating from the mid 19th century, circa 1860. Set with four lustrous white pearls and five diamonds, the rich 18 carat gold is finished with fine seams of black enamel to the head and shoulders. Although its creator clearly designed it as a memorial mourning piece, the inscription inside the band suggests its realised purpose was likely something different the engraved words: From Jan to Filo(?) indicate with was