Antique Georgian Miniature Ring, Handmade 1700s Girl with Bird Cage Painting, Solid 9k Gold Portrait, 18th Century Rococo Antique Jewelry

An extremely well-preserved Georgian miniature portrait of a young lady holding a bird cage. This unique ring dates circa 1780's and comes from a private collection in Germany. It will celebrate it's 150th birthday in only 7 years from now!

The girl is depicted seated lovingly holding a bird cage. Throughout history, the metaphor of the "bird in the cage" has been used to symbolize various aspects of human sexuality. This potent symbol captures the complexities, restrictions, and liberation associated with the expression of one's sexual desires awakening.

In the Victorian era, sexual repression reached its peak. Thus, conveyed by euphemism, in art, the real meanings were often hidden under the symbols that discreetly paraphrased a delicate nature of sensitive moments.

There are numerous 17th and 18th pieces of Dutch and French genre paintings depicting young girls, often wearing light dresses carrying or looking at the bird cage. Of the most famous 19th century works by Pre-Raphaelite John Everett Millais demonstrating a bird in the cage symbolism is 'Waking'. Depicting an innocent girl awakened apparently by a bird song. The girl glazes at the bird in surprise, questioning. Her awakening is very symbolic here suggested by the whites of her bed sheets and ruby-red color of her dolls' dress.

The ring is in it's original state with no alterations. No damage or wear to the beweiled rock crystal window - it is in a virtually as-new condition, despite the fact that the ring is almost 250 years old. It is a beautiful example of sentimental 18th century jewelry!

Details:
Weight: 4.3 grams;
Size: US 9 or EU 60, 19;
Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.8 cm or 0.98 x 4.6 inch;
Hallmarks: none, was tested by professional goldsmith and confirmed to be 9k 375 gold;
Condition: virtually as new, no water damage to the portrait, no scratch on the rock crystal, no cracks on the shank;
ERA: Georgian, circa 1780's.