This rare Georgian ring is composed of seven medallions, each representing one of the Ionian Islands - the head of Ulysses for Ithaca, the harp for Lefkada, Keo for Cephalonia, trident (as sacred to Neptune) for Paxos, tripod for Zakynthos, galley ship for Corfu and Venus emerging from her shell for Kythira (the island was her supposed birthplace).
From the British Museum: "The Ionian Islands had been under British protection since the Treaty of Paris in 1815 but, from around 1830, after Greek independence, the began to press for union with Greece. Insurgencies in 1849-50 had been suppressed with a heavy-handedness that led to lengthy discussions in Parliament as to whether an inquiry into the handling of the affair should take place." The Islands were eventually ceded to Greece in 1862.
The ring does not have the lion and crown of England so may have been made before the British protectorate in 1815. For similar examples, see the British Museum and Ashmolean.
This ring is crafted in 9k gold, with the medallions about 6.7mm tall. It weighs 1.6g and is a size 5.5 on my mandrel (can squeeze it onto my size 6 finger). It cannot be resized due to the design. There is a French trefoil re-mark for old production of 9k gold jewelry on the unengraved shield. You will receive the pictured ring.
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