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Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: English: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1499576

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Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room
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P.O. Box 4684
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
tel. 410-435-3738

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Our 18K rare fede ring has a delicately hand carved hand gently touching a heart with the meaning "I give you the gift of my heart". The clasped hands motif originated with the Romans in early AD with the 2 hands clasped together as a pledge to marry. During the renaissance and later, fede rings were given as love or betrothal rings, and men often wore fede rings as a symbol of friendship or to signify a contract. The hand-work details of this ring are numerous; note the "cuff" lines on the wrist, the creases in the fingers, the delicate heart and the beautiful perfectly scaled hands. These details reveal the masterful hand-work of an early 18th century goldsmith. Rings of this early period were crafted entirely by hand as the Industrial revolution was still well into the future. A wonderful valentine's day gift or special anniversary for the person who appreciates the craftsmanship of the early 19th/late 18th century.