finger-ring BM-AF.2409

Period:Unknown Production date:19thC (early) (?)
Materials:gold
Technique:chased
Subjects:dragon serpent
Dimensions:Height: 1 centimetres (bezel) Weight: 252 grains Width: 2.30 centimetres (at widest point across hoop) Depth: 2.40 centimetres (from bezel to back of hoop)

Description:
Gold finger ring: the shoulders in the form of chased serpent or dragon’s heads; rectangular bezel, with seal characters formed of strips of gold soldered on the edges. There is a residue of seal paste in the bezel.
IMG


Comments:These rings show a ‘dragon’ or other serpent that resembles Southeast Asian naga mythical serpents. If the rings were made in China then they were probably for export to Southeast Asia. Possibly they were made in Southeast Asia for a Chinese market. Some of the rings have Chinese characters on them that demonstrate the maker did not know Chinese writing well or even at all.