Goethe

A silhouette portrait on a verre églomisé golden ground, set to a ring, circa 1780. The tapered high carat gold shank supports a compartment containing a youthful portrait of the universal genius, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, within a blue rope twist border and under domed crystal. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was the celebrated German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. He is best known for Faust, a play about a man who sells his soul to the Devil which is considered to be one of Germany’s greatest contributions to world literature. At the time it was fashionable to wear rings depicting portraits of admired notables.

Verre églomisé is a term referring to the process of applying both a design and gilding onto the rear face of glass. The name is derived from the 18th century French decorator and art dealer, Jean-Baptiste Glomy. The technique created shimmering and beautifully reflective pieces of artwork. The ring is size N and 1/2 [US] and the head of the ring measures just under one inch by 2/3 of an inch. Very fine quality and immaculate.

£4500

Goethe