A fine quality paste bague au firmament ring, circa 1800. Two innovations in French jewellery design in the latter part of the 18th century were firmament and enfantement rings, designed respectively to celebrate the good news that Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were expecting an heir and then to celebrate the birth of the Dauphin.  On this bague au firmament the 15 carat gold  shank supports a plaque of vibrant foiled cobalt-blue glass set with colourless black dot paste within a surround of black dot paste, all stones set silver. The celestial blue ground evoked the night sky and the diamonds twinkled like stars. The ring is size O [US 7] and can be sized and the head of the ring measures 1 and 1/8 inches by 3/4 of an inch. Immaculate.

sold
Item ref : 2501

Designs for firmament rings, Cabinet des Modes, 1786