DATE: Victorian, c.1880

This superb antique signet ring features an oval bloodstone panel, painstakingly hand carved with an incredible level of detail. Medusa's mouth is wide open, and her snake hair is flowing wildly all around. It's modelled in 18 karat gold, and dates to circa 1880.

Medusa - the Gorgon Sister; the Monster. With snakes for hair, she was generally regarded to have a hideous face... so the extent that anyone who gazed upon her face would instantly turn to stone. According to ancient Greek legend Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head (which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone) as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. Perseus managed to attack and overcome Medusa by viewing the reflection in his own highly polished shield.

STONES

Bloodstone Panel

MEASUREMENTS

Head: 16.5 x 14.2mm - Width of band: 4.9mm

WEIGHT

6.5g

MARKS

Stamped 18ct gold

CONDITION

Very good, with light antique patina