Victorian, French, 18ct Gold, Diamond Snake Ring

Diamond ring, 19^th century. This sensuous ring, with its design of two entwined snakes, adopts a classic motif that rose to prominence in late 1830s and 1840s, popularised by Queen Victoria, whose engagement ring from Prince Albert was in the form of a snake. The image of the snake eating its own tail, the ouroboros, is an ancient symbol that Prince Albert used to symbolise eternal love, and the besotted Victoria wore numerous serpent jewels on state occasions, including a serpent bracelet at her First Council meeting after her accession to the throne in 1837. This sleekly modern take on this traditional motif emphasises the sinuous, smooth bodies of the coupled serpents, their heads each set with a trio of sparkling brilliant-cut diamonds.