Rare Courtly Siam Ceremonial Ring

This incredibly ornate piece was made in Siam during the late Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin Kingdom period. It dates to the late 18th/early 19th century and is a very rare example of a ceremonial ‘mondop’ or ‘pagoda’ ring.

These rings were made for the monarchy and aristocratic class of Siam to be worn as part of the lavish adornment paraphernalia used in ceremonies. These elaborate rings were subsequently given as gifts to important visitors or other aristocratic families.

In the ambassadorial visit to France of 1861, the son of the Siamese ambassador, Khoumsombat, is photographed wearing a very similar tiered mondop ring with what also appears to be a ruby cabochon at the top (see photos). 

A ‘mondop’ is the tiered roof of a temple, for example that of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, and is designed to be in the shape of the image of Buddha. The top tier of this ring features a bezel set star ruby cabochon while the rest of the bezel is covered with diamonds. The two outermost tiers rotate and are connected to the main body of the ring with a bifurcated rivet visible on the closed-back underside of the bezel, typical ornamentation of 18th century layered cluster rings. The arched shoulders are equally as ornate with bezel set rub over diamonds, emeralds and rubies appearing between foliate motifs and protruding serpent-esque decoration. The underside and outershank display bright red and green floral enamelling often seen on naga rings and Siam jewellery of the 18th century, with examples of this style found in the V&A museum, Smithsonian museum and Cleveland museum of art.

UK size J 1/2, US size 5, 13.94g gold (heavy!), tests as 22-24K gold

3.7mm diameter ruby cabochon, approx 2.6mm diamonds, the ring rises 15.5mm from the finger

A truly astounding one-of-a-kind collectors piece!