1392 SOLD Set of Thirteen Majapahit Prambanan Javanese Gold Rings

Sold to a discerning Antique Art-Lover

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Set of 13 Gold Rings with precious stones

Some have two stones others have one.

A) Gold Ring with Two Stones: One stone is held in a crown of ornamented claws resembling the Prambanan Temples while the other is encased in a square box within the ring. Note the multiple layers of petals in the floral base of the crown. Stones are quite possibly rubies.

B) Gold Ring with two stones. In the shape of a bird in a flowerbed. Beak clearly discernible in the frontal view and flower petals clearly discernible in the view from the bottom. Stones are most probably rubies.

C) Gold Ring with two stones. One stone is held in a crown of claws that gives the appearance of the Prambanan temples while the other stone is encased within the gold structure. The stones are most likely rubies.

D) Gold Ring with two stones - coral & a bevel cut stone that is most likely a ruby. The coral is held in a crown of claws resembling the Prambanan temples. Note the floral design on the base of the coral

E) Gold Ring with single stone - most probably ruby set in a intricately ornamented casing with granulated design. Note the finesse of the granules that are extremely tiny - the height of the ring is about 1 cm so the granules are much smaller.

F) One Gold Ring with single stone held in a crown of large claws. Note the gracefully curved tips of the claws.

G) Gold Ring with single stone held in a crown of large claws. The stone sits on an inner base and is held securely in place by outer claws.

H) Gold Ring with single stone held in a bird-in-flight design. The stone is held in a casing at the centre. Two opposing sides are similar and resemble wings. The other two sides are not similar and resemble the head and tail of a bird in flight.

I) Gold Ring with a single stone. The stone is held within a beautiful flower with petals curved gracefully outwards and inwards.

J) Gold Ring with two stones - most probably rubies. One is set in long claws and the other is set inside a casing. The ring itself has a twisted-rope design.

K) One Gold Ring with two stones - most probably rubies. A long red stone - probably a ruby sits in the crown. A second spherical ruby is set in the body closed-bud design.

L) Gold Ring with a single stone - quite likely emerald. Set in a crown of leaf-like claws, the base ring also has a design of vines.

M) Gold Ring with a single stone - most probably sapphire. Set in a base of gold petals of a flower, the sapphire sits elegantly atop a beautifully designed base. Adorning the sapphire is a gold temple-structure.

Prambanan area,Central Java

One theory is that these are the temple rings mentioned in the Copper Plate Taji Charters of King Balitung : presents of gold rings decorated with a temple having one jewel at its top - all of fixed weight - were offered to official persons who attended ceremonies.

Another theory is that these are bird rings used to adorn the legs of pet birds in cages.

Age unknown.

Very good condition

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OTHER EXAMPLES:

1) YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY

https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/123646

2) ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSUEM

https://roots.sg/Roots/learn/collections/listing/1111710

3) MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON

MASTERPIECE COLLECTION - PRICE ON REQUEST

NOTE: Gold Jewelry will not be shipped out of Singapore. Self pick-up must be arranged. Please write to jaina@wovensouls.com to discuss alternate arrangements.

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.

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