It is the middle of winter in Melbourne and it is mostly overcast, misty, grey and chilly. It is odd to write this when the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing such high temperatures. And winter is not all bad, of course. There are some lovely colours around, even if slightly muted. The mist in particular reminded me of two pieces of antique jewellery. The one below is a Scottish silver and agate bracelet from around the end of the 19th century. The agate is a lovely pale grey with striations, called a Montrose agate.
The other piece of jewellery called to mind by mist is this ring, below, set with white opals. White opal, as the name suggests, has a white background with lovely play of colour. Before the discoveries in Australia of black opals at the end of the 19th century, jewellers used either white or crystal opals.
Reds, purples and pinks are winter colours, seen in plants with berries, as well as in camillas, orchids, daphnes, and grevillas. The striking Roman intaglio agate ring in the photo at the top of the post copies the red of the berries beautifully as well as displaying some internal yellow bands, like weak winter sunlight. The intaglio is of a charioteer with whip driving a biga, a two horse chariot.
The two early Victorian stacking rings below also match the somber winter reds. Both are foiled, one with five garnets and the other an acrostic ‘regard’ ring.
Actually, winter isn’t too bad.
navette jewellery 