Antique Elephant Hair Ring
This unusual antique 18K gold ring features a thick, black singular strand of elephant hair inside of the overlapping gold band shape. The tips are fashioned in gold and resemble a snake-like motif.
This is a fine example of a circa 1900 souvenir ring from British ‘Raj’ era India. In this period, there was a trend to incorporate jewellery with strands of elephant hair, after wealthy visitors went on a ride on an elephant ride and subsequently commissioned jewellery with a strand of tail hair from an elephant as a memento of their trip (without harming the elephant!). These exotic pieces would be brought back home as reminders of their trip and given to loved ones as gifts. Elephant hair jewellery dates back thousands of years, with African tribesmen using elephant tail hair into their jewellery to ward off illness, protect them from harm, to bring them love and happiness.
UK size L, US size 5.75
The ring weighs 2.13 grams, and the gold band is stamped with two hallmarks. One of these is a French 18K import mark. The band measures 2mm across.
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Description
This unusual antique 18K gold ring features a thick, black singular strand of elephant hair inside of the overlapping gold band shape. The tips are fashioned in gold and resemble a snake-like motif.
This is a fine example of a circa 1900 souvenir ring from British ‘Raj’ era India. In this period, there was a trend to incorporate jewellery with strands of elephant hair, after wealthy visitors went on a ride on an elephant ride and subsequently commissioned jewellery with a strand of tail hair from an elephant as a memento of their trip (without harming the elephant!). These exotic pieces would be brought back home as reminders of their trip and given to loved ones as gifts. Elephant hair jewellery dates back thousands of years, with African tribesmen using elephant tail hair into their jewellery to ward off illness, protect them from harm, to bring them love and happiness.
UK size L, US size 5.75
The ring weighs 2.13 grams, and the gold band is stamped with two hallmarks. One of these is a French 18K import mark. The band measures 2mm across.
