« The gardener working under my window is an admirer of the world. He doesn’t think in terms of ‘producing’ plants. He cultivates. He helps grow that which exists without him. He doesn’t create, doesn’t build; he takes care of. Hence his humbleness. […] Plants often outdo him; he doesn’t feel shame or bitterness, but rather the dignity of belonging. »
This adorable French yellow gold ring from around 1840 is a true testimony of how jewellery and declarations of love go hand in hand. Cupido, the Roman god of love, is enshrined as a putti in an infinite halo of filigree lemniscates. On both sides of this marquise shaped top, four hearts build a universe where one plus one is one as they assemble into a four leaf clover. Between the shank’s edges, filigree frills flutter as butterflies in a stomach. Clearly, this symbolic ring seales the marriage of love, luck and eternity. Another important detail is that this piece was made to shout out loud this message of affection as the large ringsize implies it was used to wear on gloves for everyone to see. Nowadays, love doesn’t always seem to be this simple, so our advise is: if they don’t make them like they used to, you just buy antiques.
Japanese Blue In this 18K yellow gold Art Deco ring from 1930, an openwork frame of 34 brilliant cut diamonds set in a platinum Oriental ornamental pattern centres a marvellous oval cut sapphire. The gold base with little leaflet engravings makes you imagine yourself to be cherished by your darling among the cherry blossoms of a secret and secluded Japanese garden.
