BelleEpoqueJewelers
RARE - 1840 Victorian French Gimmel Ring, Gimmal Engagement Band, Antique Joint Ring, Puzzle Ring
RARE - 1840 Victorian French Gimmel Ring, Gimmal Engagement Band, Antique Joint Ring, Puzzle Ring
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Dated February 4, 1840, this lovely antique ring has been guarded preciously for almost two centuries. Known as a gimmel or gimmal ring, which comes from the Latin for twin, gemmelus, the ring was constructed to be worn by separately by fiancees during the engagement period and then joined together to form one band for the wedding. The structure of the ring underpins the symbolism of equality and two souls joining together as one whole.
The interior of the band is engraved with two name: M. JOUSSERANDAT and F. CANOZ. As luck would have it I was able to find a genealogy page on the family. The mystery inscriptions refer to a Marie Francoise JOUSSERANDAT and Claude "Francois" CANOZ. After their marriage they went on to have two sons, Paul and August in 1844 and 1847. They lived in a small village, Sellieres, in the Jura department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. Unfortunately, the story is a sad one as it appears Marie died in 1850, possibly being weakened after complications from the birth of her second child. Francois never went on to re-marry or have more children. His son Paul was with him when he died, years later, at the age of 79. Paul went on to have one child, a son, whom he named after his father. His son was killed at the age of 31 in WWI.
Within one ring lies a history that spans the ages, of an average French family who lived and died long before we were born.
CONDITION NOTES:
The ring is in excellent condition for age and binds very well together. I had some difficulty getting the two pieces apart but if you slide a fingernail where they join the ring pops open. The ring is still easy to read on the interior and the exterior has light micro-scratches consistent with age.
Material: 18k gold
Weight: 3.26 g
Period: Early Victorian dated February 3, 1840
Size: 62 FR or 10 US
All items in the shop are shipped with tracking and insurance within 48 hours of receiving an order. Items over 250 euros are shipped via Colissimo Express so that your item is in your hands as quickly as possible.
Please check all photos, descriptions, and measurements thoroughly. Contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.
The interior of the band is engraved with two name: M. JOUSSERANDAT and F. CANOZ. As luck would have it I was able to find a genealogy page on the family. The mystery inscriptions refer to a Marie Francoise JOUSSERANDAT and Claude "Francois" CANOZ. After their marriage they went on to have two sons, Paul and August in 1844 and 1847. They lived in a small village, Sellieres, in the Jura department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. Unfortunately, the story is a sad one as it appears Marie died in 1850, possibly being weakened after complications from the birth of her second child. Francois never went on to re-marry or have more children. His son Paul was with him when he died, years later, at the age of 79. Paul went on to have one child, a son, whom he named after his father. His son was killed at the age of 31 in WWI.
Within one ring lies a history that spans the ages, of an average French family who lived and died long before we were born.
CONDITION NOTES:
The ring is in excellent condition for age and binds very well together. I had some difficulty getting the two pieces apart but if you slide a fingernail where they join the ring pops open. The ring is still easy to read on the interior and the exterior has light micro-scratches consistent with age.
Material: 18k gold
Weight: 3.26 g
Period: Early Victorian dated February 3, 1840
Size: 62 FR or 10 US
All items in the shop are shipped with tracking and insurance within 48 hours of receiving an order. Items over 250 euros are shipped via Colissimo Express so that your item is in your hands as quickly as possible.
Please check all photos, descriptions, and measurements thoroughly. Contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.
Materials
Materials
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Dimensions
Dimensions
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
