Bague au firmament

A  lovely example of a bague au firmament ring, circa 1780 – 1800. The 18 carat gold shank supports a plaque of vibrant cobalt blue glass surmounted by a central rose-cut diamond star, within a sprinkling of  pear-shaped and round rose-cut diamonds, all gems set silver. The diamonds weigh approximately 2 carats in total.  Such rings, made popular by Marie Antoinette, were known as bagues au firmament [rings of the Heavens], as the celestial blue ground evoked the night sky and the diamonds twinkled like stars. The ring is size O [US 7] and the head of the ring measures 1 and 1/3 inches by 2/3 of an inch. Gorgeous thing.

£7000