This Victorian thumb ring in Mogul style with rose-cut diamonds is crafted in matted 18k yellow gold, weighs 23.9g and measures 27mm wide and 18mm deep. Inspired by the mid-seventeenth century Mogul jewelry style, this intriguing and colorful Victorian style Archer's thumb ring of elaborate Baroque design is adorned with twelve antique rose-cut diamonds. Exposing a centrally mounted piqué rose-cut diamond measuring 7.11mm long and 5.62mm wide, graded 'foil-backed light-brown' color, this interesting archer's thumb ring is additionally mounted with eight foil-backed piqué rose-cut diamonds, measuring between 6.8mm and 4mm and 3.62mm and 3.3mm, graded 'foil-backed light brown' color. Mounted within highly ornate teardrop, heart-shaped and leaf motif closed settings, this assemblage of precious antique diamonds creates an alluring Baroque inspired floral design, surrounded by alluring foliate themed profiles, adorned with four matching grade rose-cut diamonds. This unique Victorian style thumb ring is embellished throughout with artistic polychrome enamel of an enchanting vivid-green and gold color. The thumb-ring is enameled inside with an alluring flower, as is often the case with Mogul jewelry.

Since ancient times, rings have been considered not only ornamental, but at times sacrosanct, with particular significance to the finger on which they are worn varying in importance throughout a variety of cultures. Babylonian mythology is replete with stories of the rings of Shamas and Marduk while fairy tales and folklore keeps magical ring stories alive. Almost all archaeological explorations include the discovery of rings, dating as far back as 100,000 years, considered by experts large enough to be thumb rings for men. Historically, the very first thumb rings were thought to be designed to protect the thumb during Archery. These substantial men’s rings were originally made of horn, wood, ivory and stone, later expanding in materials to incorporate metal, glass or plastic to fit over the end of the thumb, resting at the outer edge of the outer knuckle joint. A flat area extended from the ring to protect the pad of the thumb of the left hand from the bowstring, after the discharge of the arrow, often supplemented by a leather extension. This technique is often referred to as the ‘Mongolian Release’ or the ‘Mongolian Draw’. Archery thumb rings have been made by the Chinese, Manchus, Indians, Turks, and Persians. As the tradition spread across the Far East, sizable thumb-rings became a badge of status’ – seemingly imbibing power upon the wearer possessing the largest one. In medieval Europe, the thumb ring was often used as a ‘seal’ ring in order to hold a bigger, heavier seal for impressing hot wax due to the fact that it could be made larger than rings for other fingers. In sixteenth century Europe, it was customary to assign rings according to the wearers profession, however, most of the wearers were doctors at that time. In Shakespeare’s ‘Henry IV’, we encounter the citation “Hal, I could have crept into any alderman’s thumb-ring” and some sources state that Shakespeare himself always wore a thumb-ring. Similarly, portraits of Lady Ann Clifford, celebrated Countess of Pembroke, depict her wearing a ring upon the thumb of her right hand. In India the larger thumb-ring or ‘arsi’ with a circular mirror was worn from the late 16th to the mid 18th century during the reign of Shah Jahan. This was a symbol of status and numerous high quality thumb-rings were made as courtly pieces, adorned with rubies and emeralds against chased gold or an artistically enameled background. The latter are seen in portraits of the Emperor and his sons in Mogul paintings, exquisitely carved by Mogul craftsmen using the finest techniques. In palmistry, the thumb is seen as the willpower finger, the Venus Mount at the base of the thumb symbolizing vitality and sexuality. The separation of the thumb from the rest of the fingers represents man surrounded by the cosmos and the wearing a thumb ring emphasizes freedom of thought and action. Thumb rings continue to be used by archers in most of Asia and some regions of North Africa.

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Suggested Retail Price: $2,000.00 Your Price: $1,300.00 Wholesale Price: $1,000.00