A GOLD RING SET WITH THREE RUBIES, THAILAND, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY

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A GOLD RING SET WITH THREE RUBIES, THAILAND, AYUTTHAYA PERIOD, 16TH-17TH CENTURY The gold ring with a raised oval bezel set with a large table-cut ruby, the high setting worked with radiating petal-like flutes and flanked by two smaller similarly cut rubies. The shoulders finely pierced with scrolling foliate tendrils and curling volutes, tapering to a slender plain hoop. Alloy composition: 89 % gold, 8.37% silver, 2.62% copper. The lot was tested by the Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Rubies: circa 2 carat. Dimensions: Length 2.6 cm Ruby-set gold rings were objects of considerable prestige at the Ayutthaya court. In 1511, the king of Siam included a ruby ring, crown, and gold sword among diplomatic gifts sent to the Portuguese at Melaka. The region of present-day Myanmar was already renowned for its rubies during this period, with European travelers recording a flourishing trade in the stones by the later 16th century. The present ring thus evokes both the courtly splendor and far-reaching luxury networks of Ayutthaya. Literature comparison: Compare two closely related gold and ruby rings illustrated by Susan Ollemans, “Ancient Gold Rings from Asia: The Tuyet Nguyet Collection,” in Arts of Asia, July-August 2017, pls. 25D-E: an Ayutthaya gold and ruby ring, 15th-16th century, and a Sukhothai gold and ruby ring, 16th century. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 16 April 2026, lot 259 Price: EUR 10,400 Expert remark: Compare the closely related Thai origin, gem-set bezel, finely worked shoulders, and rich gold decoration. Note the larger weight (50 g).

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