Renaissance gold ring with a hessonite garnet.

A Renaissance gold ring set with a table cut hessonite garnet.

Western Europe, second half of the 16th century.

Ring Size U UK / 10 US.

The bezel measures 1.3 x 1cm.

The ring weighs 7.1 grams.

There is a very small chip to one of the facets of the garnet.

A similar example was offered by Sotheby’s, New Bond Street, European Sculpture and Works of Art, 4th December 2013, Lot 60. It is catalogued as: Finger Ring, gold, with a scalloped bezel set with an oval garnet. Probably Italian, late 16th/ early 17th century.

Another comparison set with a spessartine garnet can be found on loan to the Metropolitan Museum, New York, Accession Number: L.2015.72.14. It is catalogued as: Title: Cusped Ring, Date: 15th century, Culture: North European, Medium: Gold, hessonite garnet.