A REGARD ring is a form of acrostic jewellery where the first letter of each gemstone “spells†out a word as can be seen here in this very rare antique REGARD cluster ring dating from the 1870's.
Made in 15ct rose gold, this ring is set with a Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and a Diamond in the centre where the first letter spells the word “Regardâ€.
With sentiment and meaning behind this to show your love for someone else all the while not having it “spelled†out in a traditional way makes Regard rings so sweet and romantic and takes you back to a time gone by. There is something so charming about wearing a genuine antique Regard ring on your finger and knowing that most who see it wont decipher its meaning.
The cluster measures 10.3mm by 10.5mm from left to right and even the band has been finished with the sweetest hand engraving.
With a delightful cluster that itself looks so beautiful on any finger, this antique Regard ring is just so sweet and charming and will always be cherished.
Stock# ES7314
Circa: 1870
$Sold.
Out of stock
Rare antique REGARD cluster ring from the Victorian era of the 1870's.
A brief article on Regard jewellery:
Acrostic jewellery is a form of jewellery where the first letter of each gemstone ‘spells’ out a particular word or meaning. This form of jewellery goes as far back as the 1700s and was thought to have originated from French jeweller Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) who made jewellery for Marie Antoinette and Empress Josephine. This form of jewellery quickly became popular, and came across the channel to be embraced by many English jewellers.
However, acrostic jewellery became most popular during the mid-19th century during what is known as the Romantic era. In France at this time the common words found in acrostic jewellery were often ‘souvenir’ (remembrance) and ‘amitié’ (friendship). In England, this form of jewellery is most often be found in brooches and rings known as a ‘regard’; which would feature a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby and a diamond, or perhaps the word ‘love’ would be made, the piece being set with a lapis, opal, vermeil (an old name for hessonite garnet) and emerald.
Other romantic sentiments found in acrostic jewellery can also be found in the form of ‘dearest’ and ‘adore’ jewellery. J’adore (love), was spelled out in a ring with jacinth, amethyst, diamond, opal, ruby and emerald gemstones, set in that order. Sometimes, the gems would be interspaced with seed pearls representing tears.
Many rings and bracelets were also made in which stones spelled out the names of loved ones a number of items commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, used this formula in charming ways.
Following his return from Egypt in 1799, he commissioned a spectacular sculpted and jewelled piece of artwork in the form of a clear quartz crystal sphinx. Set upon a silver base containing 114 precious stones, Napoleon’s ‘good luck charm’ featured stones arranged in a specific way formulated on an ancient code. Into the design are encoded the words ‘Emperor’ and ‘Empress’ as well as the initials of both
Napoleon and his wife Josephine Bonaparte and the date 15 August 1802, commemorating the simultaneous nationwide celebration of Napoleon’s 33rd birthday and his elevation to Lifetime Consulate status. His second wife, Empress Marie Louise, had three acrostic bracelets made by Chaumet. The stones spell the first names and dates of birth of Napoleon and Marie Louise, and the dates of their meeting and subsequent marriage in 1810.
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