Mystery Jewel: Niello Ring

This enamelled silver ring is one of my all time favourites, but it has always been a mystery to me. I bought it at the Value Village so I know nothing of its provenance. It has no assay stamps or hallmarks. And while the shape of the ring goes back to Roman times, the etchings and enamel work are unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Cut to the weekend. I was researching another mystery piece — an niello work bracelet which looks like Siam Sterling, but depicts scene of palm trees, camels and tanks. I do have a “Made in Siam” bracelet that has emblems of all the provinces of Canada, so I know the Thai artists did commissions. But anyway, I fell into a niello research rabbit hole trying to fit the pieces together.

Niello a method of enamelling that is achieved by baking a sulfur/metals powder in the carved out areas of silver. The Thai silversmiths were not the only artisans to employ this trick. And whilst researching niello alone, I came across some images of Russian niello wares of the 19th and early 20th century. While I didn’t find any rings with this cross design, the stirrup shape of the ring and the decorated shank were common.

So what do you think Scooby Gang? Any experts in Czarist Russian Silver willing to weigh in?