Circa 1955, uniquely designed, well crafted vintage 14k gold ring, depicting an Indian Chief in full headdress regalia with colorful polychrome features. Attention to detail with finely multi colored inlaid enamel feathers in red, yellow green and blue. A pair of cultured faceted ruby earpieces, and cut stone eyes (possibly sapphire) complete the decoration to the proud looking Native American Indian Chief in yellow gold.
The ring is quite substantial in stature, weighing in at 23.4 grams, (ring size is 10+) and it fits, and looks well balanced, on the hand pictured (see image); that particular hand measures 6″ from pinky tip to thumb tip; and 7 1/2″ from “wrist break” to tip of middle finger (measured just as it is pictured).
Being interested in 19th century Western United States and Native American memorabilia, I acquired the ring over 30 years ago from a Beverly Hills estate. It has since been examined by my local jeweler, and in June of 2007, by the expert jewelers at the “Antiques Road Show” in Reno, where the ring garnered quite a bit of attention.
I am reluctant to say it is “one of a kind” but if you look extensively around the internet, you will not see another one; the only ring that resembles it, is a very crude example which is poorly designed, and the dealer has a ridiculous $50,000 asking price. What sets my ring apart is the proportion, design, and quality of workmanship.
Dimensions: ring size 10+; 1 1/4″ wide x 1″ deep x 1 1/8″ high