A scarce late 19th century gold ‘priest’s ring’ from the island of Bali, Indonesia.

The ring is a fantastic example of the southern Balinese style, where the shoulders are decorated with hummingbirds. The birds' beaks serve as prongs to hold the primary stone, a concept known from 15th-century East Java Majaphait times, and the tail extends down the band.

As expected with Balinese gem-set gold rings made in this period, the present ring is of hollow construction, crafted in high-karat gold and set with a polished glass cabochon. The conical-shaped bezel holding a red glass gemstone of a bright colour, neatly held in position by two horizontal gold beak-shaped prongs. The bezel is intricately decorated with granulation (ring gold balls) and ropework, the most typical characteristic of Balinese workmanship.

A similar example was offered for sale at Sothebys Hong Kong in 2021 in the famed ‘Golden Splendour’ sale from the Tuyet Nguyet and Stephen Markbreiter Collection. See final photo for side-by-side comparison.

UK ring size I 1/2, US size 4.5

The ring weighs a total of 3.62 grams. It tests as 21 karat gold.

Despite its impressive age, the ring is in wearable condition. The glass cabochon is securely set; however there is lots of surface wear making the appearance seem rough and worn. There is a dent to one of the shoulders and there is also evidence of a historic resizing.

The stone measures 6mm x 4.5mm x 2mm, and the ring protrudes approximately 9mm from the base of the finger.