Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Elephant Hair Ring Circa 1900
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Crafted from 18ct yellow gold this fine example features a single strand of Elephant hair inside a heavier than usual engraved band.
Dating to the days of the British Raj (1858-1947) we believe this one would date to around 1900 or thereabouts.
Bright and lush the 18ct gold is patterned at every sections in between the one segments displaying the Elephant hair, the inside of the band is smooth, half round, solid and substantially made.
History of Elephant hair jewellery
Elephant hair jewellery is steeped in mythology and history, below is a very brief account.
Elephant hair jewellery originated thousands of years ago with the early African tribesmen who believed elephants were the only connection between the Heavens and the Earth. They would incorporate elephant tail hair into their jewellery to ward off illness, protect them from harm, to bring them love and happiness.
Later from around the mid eighteenth century when India came under British rule or 'Raj', British colonists, traders and tourist would travel to India to go on safari and hunt exotic game ( it happened.. we do not endorse this ) they would ride on the back of the elephant and when finished they would commission pieces of jewellery to be made from their favourite mounts tail hair ( the elephant was not harmed ! ). These exotic pieces would be brought back home as reminders of their safari and given to loved ones as gifts.
Elephant hair jewellery is steeped in mythology and history, below is a very brief account.
Elephant hair jewellery originated thousands of years ago with the early African tribesmen who believed elephants were the only connection between the Heavens and the Earth. They would incorporate elephant tail hair into their jewellery to ward off illness, protect them from harm, to bring them love and happiness.
Later from around the mid eighteenth century when India came under British rule or 'Raj', British colonists, traders and tourist would travel to India to go on safari and hunt exotic game ( it happened.. we do not endorse this ) they would ride on the back of the elephant and when finished they would commission pieces of jewellery to be made from their favourite mounts tail hair ( the elephant was not harmed ! ). These exotic pieces would be brought back home as reminders of their safari and given to loved ones as gifts.
STONES
None
MEASUREMENTS
2.81 Wide
WEIGHT
2.66 Grams
MARKS
Three marks, faint, we cannot identify
Tests as 18ct Gold
SIZE
K 1/2 or 16.1mm diameter US 5 1/2
Not resizable
CONDITION
Very good to excellent vintage condition. All hair and gold wire is in excellent condition.
