Belle Epoque Sapphire and Diamond Entwined Snake Ring in 18ct Rose Gold

A detailed rose gold entwined serpent ring from the Belle Epoque period that has been set with a romantically sparkling old cut diamond and sapphire. The serpent has been seen in jewellery for thousands of years, and has represented many things including good, evil, rebirth, poison, fertility and death. Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1819-1861) presented Queen Victoria with a serpent shaped engagement ring in 1839, which brought serpent formed jewellery back into fashion and saw pieces viewed as symbols of eternal love. This sentiment was carried through into the Edwardian era with the beautiful and stylish Queen Alexandra (1844-1925) who dictated styles and tastes during her short reign. She was often seen wearing an iconic snake bangle that has been captured in many of the portraits painted of her. Coiling around the finger the scales of this symbolic reptile have been expertly detailed with the two flat shaped serpent heads showcasing an old cut diamond and sapphire. This ring is as wearable today as it was at the beginning of the last century.