A 19th-century South Indian ruby and gold ring in lotus flower form

A RUBY AND GOLD RING

An exceptional ruby and gold ring originates from 19th-century South India. This fine piece of antique Indian jewelry showcases the rich metalworking and lapidary traditions of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the late 19th century. Furthermore, South Indian master goldsmiths combined vibrant gemstones with sacred floral motifs to craft unique personal ornaments. Today, these pieces remain highly prized by collectors of historic Asian art.

Design of the Ruby and Gold Ring

First, the ruby and gold ring centers around a raised bezel formed as a blooming lotus flower. A vibrant round cabochon ruby sits directly inside the central stepped setting. In addition, ten radiating gold petals hold matching cabochon rubies securely within kundan-style closed collets. The gemstones display rich, deep pinkish-red saturation throughout the floral composition. Furthermore, additional ruby-set leaf shoulders frame the central motif gracefully.

Most importantly, the defining characteristic of this piece relies on its sacred lotus geometry. South Indian artisans handcrafted the high-carat gold structure with intricate dimensional layering. As a result, this sculptural arrangement creates a dramatic visual depth that highlights the golden relief work. Consequently, combining high-carat gold sculpture with cabochon rubies remains a defining feature of regional temple-style jewelry production.

Place of originSouth India
Date19th-century
Ring SizeUS 6
AvailabilityUS$
Reference numberSO-000147
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