Josephine Baker - 18 ct gold intaglio agate ring, enamel and rubies
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This 18 ct gold ring features the image of Joséphine Baker, beautifully carved into a gray-blue banded agate intaglio. Part of a signature collection, it stands out for the composition of the intaglio: the line work and the dancer’s joyful imagery have something lyrical about them. The dancer’s silhouette forms a strong diagonal, and the small flower or ball she balances draws the eye across the intaglio. The ring setting was designed to frame the intaglio and echo the clean lines of the 1920s. The black enamel on the sides picks up the black in the banded agate, and the four rubies at the corners of the frame balance the diagonals of the figure. The rubies are held by claw-shaped prongs, with an almost insect-like appearance, as if tiny creatures were holding them in place. The setting is generously sized, well proportioned, and has rounded corners, faithful to the Art Deco design elements. Without knowing that the dancer is Joséphine Baker, the image on the intaglio simply seems to depict an elegant dancer. But on closer inspection, the outline of Joséphine’s iconic banana skirt can be made out. A heroic and inspiring figure of her time, this ring can be worn as a tribute to Joséphine Baker, as well as a reminder of all that can be accomplished in a lifetime.
Joséphine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress, and the first Black woman to play the leading role in a major film. During her career, she was one of the most famous performers to appear at the Folies Bergère in Paris, and her costume, consisting only of a short skirt made of bananas and a pearl necklace, became an iconic symbol of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties. Beyond her stage career, Baker also served as a spy for the French Resistance during the Second World War. She held a pilot’s license and carried out missions during the Phoney War, using the protection afforded by her celebrity status to obtain classified information and smuggle intelligence across borders. She sheltered resistance fighters and Jewish refugees. After the war, she continued her career as an entertainer and campaigned in the American civil rights movement. She refused to perform before segregated audiences and turned down famously large sums until clubs accepted her demands, thus playing a key role in integrating mixed audiences at live performances. She adopted 12 children of diverse backgrounds and was laid to rest in the Panthéon in Paris, one of the highest honors in France.
The ring contains four natural rubies. The banded agate intaglio was purchased at the Tuscan Gem Show and is a hand-carved piece by Lorenz Gravuren, known for its custom gemstone engravings and high-end signet rings. Lorenz Gravuren is a German family business founded in 1969, recognized worldwide for its use of centuries-old craftsmanship and for its work with master gemstone engravers and master goldsmiths.
The ring weighs 12.5 g. The ring motif measures 3/4” x 11/16”, and the band measures 2.9 mm wide. Marked 18 ct gold.
Ring size: 54 (FR).
Référence 58 Facettes : 10403512189257
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About this seller:
Vendeur professionnel - Statut : Gold
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The jewelry is delivered in 1 to 4 business days.
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