DATE: Victorian, 1895

A heavy late Victorian keeper ring in 18 karat gold with clear London hallmarks for the year 1895. The head comprises braided gold wire work with two rows of gold pommels. There are a number of stories relating to the meaning behind a keeper ring. One harks back to a time (the 18th century) when rings were made to be worn over a glove, so a keeper ring (aka guard ring) was required to "keep" it in place when worn on the un-gloved finger. Another, more literal, explanation is that these were exchanged as betrothal rings one year before the engagement - sort of like saying "you're a keeper". In any event known examples date back at least as far as George III, who gave one to Queen Charlotte apparently to hold her immensely valuable diamond band securely in place.

MEASUREMENTS 

Width at head: 10.6mm

Width of band: 5.5mm

WEIGHT 

11.7g

MARKS 

English hallmarks for 18k gold, London 1895

CONDITION 

Very good, with strong antique patina