Victorian Diamond Snake Ring

A beautifully sculptural antique snake ring, made in France circa 1870, and crafted in solid 18K gold. The serpent coils fluidly around the finger, its body partially engraved, while the tail wraps back upon itself in a continuous, unbroken form.

The snake’s head is set with an antique cushion-cut diamond of approximately 0.30 carats, often referred to in period descriptions as the snake’s diamond ‘brain’ due to its placement and softly domed, organic faceting.

Snake jewellery experienced a powerful revival during the Victorian period, particularly after Prince Albert presented Queen Victoria with a snake engagement ring set with an emerald, her birthstone. In the nineteenth century, the serpent was widely understood as a symbol of eternity, wisdom, renewal, and everlasting love. Such rings were worn by both men and women, and examples appear in portraiture of the period, including one of King George IV in a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence in the Wallace Collection..

A closely related ring is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, underscoring the historical and stylistic importance of this design.

The ring bears the French horse’s head hallmark indicating 18K gold, along with a maker’s lozenge, consistent with French manufacture of the period.

The ring weighs 3.8 grams. Ring size is UK N, US 6.5. The band measures approximately 5mm at the back. Overall condition is very good, with light surface wear consistent with age and use, and no structural issues.