Large Serpent Ring with Diamonds & Enamel in Gold from the Estate of Maria Schell, circa 1860 & later

Life Companion

Large Serpent Ring with Diamonds & Enamel in Gold from the Estate of Maria Schell, circa 1860 & later

€ 5,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Some pieces of jewellery are said to carry the charisma of the people they once accompanied. This unusual snake ring has a good chance of being such an object, as it belonged to the actress Maria Schell (1926-2005). The ring is of an impressive size; it easily covers an entire finger. On a gold-framed, deep dark blue enamel background, we see a snake that determines the design of the ring as a sculpturally applied motif. Its body is set with small rose cut diamonds and draws itself across the dark blue surface in a sinuous movement, appearing to knot into itself. The composition appears opulent and yet concentrated. Dark blue and gold define the impression of this unusual piece of jewellery. The snake has been one of the most ambiguous symbols in art history for centuries, and we encounter it relatively frequently in old pieces of jewellery. Since biblical times, it has been the cunning temptress of Eve, but at the same time - as Ouroboros - a symbol of infinity. Even the ancient Romans wore snake-shaped jewellery; the reptile was considered to promise health due to its connection to the god Asclepius. The allusion to the fall of man was no longer the central element, even in the 19th century. From the middle of the century in particular, jewellery with snakes was more of a promise of good luck. The large showpiece of this ring was created in the years shortly after the middle of the century. In the 1850s, blue enamel became very fashionable again and was often combined with snake motifs. In the 1860s, large oval shapes became fashionable. The oval showpiece with the blue enameled surface was therefore probably created around 1860. Originally, however, it was not a ring: we think it was the showpiece of a bracelet. The ring band and the polished gold plate on the back, which turns the snake with its oval frame into a ring, were added later, probably in the 20th century. The fact that Maria Schell wore this ring gives it an additional dimension. Hardly a photo of her is known in which she is not wearing this piece of jewellery. Whether on film sets, at public appearances or in private moments, the ring has been her constant companion since at least 1974, see for example here or here. Schell, who gained international recognition with films such as The Last Bridge or Gervaise, was appreciated for her great emotional intensity and her ability to give characters extraordinary depth. Her warm and approachable nature has touched generations of audiences, and her ring reflects these qualities in its own way. Despite its size, it is calm, it is present and at the same time symbolically charged. You can tell from the pieces of jewellery that it has been worn over many decades. Scratches, scuffs, dents and clear signs of wear bear witness to a life lived and give the ring an authenticity that cannot be artificially created. We have carefully restored it to a wearable condition, but have not completely restored it because we did not want to polish away the traces of its lived history. The ring came into the possession of Maria Schell's daughter, Marie Theres Relin, through inheritance and from her into the Munich art trade. It is part of an artist's life and conveys the memory of a great actress of the 20th century.

Size & Details

Life Companion

€ 5,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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