Antique split rings

All of us probably have a split ring that we use daily, perhaps as a ring holding our keys together. It will usually be a silver coloured metal such as steel and consist of two loops of metal on top of each other. A key can be inserted onto the ring by lifting the end of the loop or a split in the loop and easing the key around the two loops to the other end of the loops. It is secure way of holding objects. Today’s split rings are also very utilitarian and not things of beauty.

But antique split rings are things of beauty. The Georgians used them to attach fobs to watch chains and they decorated them with ornate engraving on both sides as you can see in the three split rings in the photo at the top of the post and in the photo below. Some Georgian split rings are gold while others are gold chased.

Victorian era split rings are usually plainer, like the one below with a simple rope-like etched border or without any decoration at all.

The size of split rings can vary a lot too. The ornate one in the top photo is quite large, 2 cms in diameter, while the one above is 1.2 cms in diameter. The one below is small, only about 1cm in diameter.

Some people use them as finger rings rather than as links for fobs and charms. It is worthwhile looking out for them as they are decorative items in their own right.