This French firmament ring from the 1800s is crafted in 18k gold and set with old-cut diamonds against a deep aubergine glass ground. Inspired by the firmament jewels associated with Marie-Antoinette, the lozenge pattern evokes a night sky scattered with stars. Most surviving examples use midnight cobalt or, more rarely, dark green glass; purple grounds like this are scarcer, as the colorants historically used (e.g., manganese or the gold-based “Purple of Cassius”) were costly and temperamental in firing, making a clean, saturated tone difficult to achieve. The result here is a richly domed, architectural “sky” with luminous, wine-violet depth. It is in good antique condition with normal oxidation and wear; the glass is intact with no obvious surface losses. We encourage you to visit our website and view the enlarged photos for a closer look at the condition. Now available on our website.