A very rare French Art Nouveau ring crafted in Paris circa 1900, depicting a Satyr and Nymph in a close embrace. The 18K gold ring weighs 9.48 grams, and bears the French 'owl' hallmark, confirming its Parisian origin and gold purity.

In Greek mythology, Satyrs and Nymphs were often depicted together, symbolising the untamed and sensual aspects of nature. Satyrs, companions of Dionysus, the god of wine and festivity, are characterised by their indulgent and spirited nature. Nymphs, on the other hand, are nature deities tied to various elements like forests and rivers, embodying beauty and the essence of the natural world.

This scarce figural ring is an iconic example of the kind of jewels on display at the ‘Exposition Universelle’ which took place in Paris in the year 1900. The world witnessed a grand display of Art Nouveau jewels, objects and architecture at the exhibition which took natural forms or objects and turned them into expressions of abstract ideas. The pairing of these mythological figures was a popular combination in the Art Nouveau period. Not only did the subject matter reflect the Art Nouveau fascination with ancient mythology, the human spirit and sensuality - but also the organic and fluid shape of these figures intertwined paired well with the movements obsession with free-flowing, sinuous lines in design.

This ring’s design and finely rendered figures echo the work of artists like Georges Fouquet and René Lalique who celebrated similar themes in their work. These highly rendered figural rings of the Art Nouveau period are also inspired by sculptural rings first created by Renaissance goldsmiths. A similar French Art Nouveau ring can be found on page 279 in Diana Scarisbrick’s ‘Rings: Jewellery of Power, Love and Loyalty’. Another example can be found at Les Enluminaires Gallery, currently listed for sale at 50,000 USD.

The present design of this ring is closely related to depictions of ‘Satyr and Nymph’ from the late 19th century; notably an oil on canvas by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1873), another oil on canvas by Alexandre Cabanal (1860) and a clay statuette by Francis Derwent (c.1900). See final photo for images of these sculptures and artworks.

Size and Condition:

UK size S 1/2 / US size 9.25The ring measures 10mm from top to bottom at the front, tapering to 5mm at the back. It remains in excellent condition, with the details of the Satyr and Nymph sharply defined. This ring is a fine example of Art Nouveau craftsmanship, capturing the essence of the Parisian avant-garde at the end of the 19th century.