Gold and enamel pomander ring with a green ma,. Italy 18th century

A gold and enamel pomander ring with a green man.

Italian, 18th century.

Ring size G UK / 3.25 US.

The head is decorated in green and black enamels, the face in black and the oak tree forming part of his nose in green. The eyes are inset with diamonds and the mouth pierced, the top the face is hinged and opens to reveal a hollowed interior. The interior compartment would have contained the scent which would have been released through the open mouth.

An extraordinary ring inspired by the masquerade rings of the same period, I do not know of another ring similarly decorated with a green man of this period.

A similar ring, although the masquerade type can be found in the ‘The Ring, from Antiquity to the twentieth century’ and another in ‘Rings, Symbols of Wealth, Power and Affection’.