Harry at the Grammy’s & BRITs | March/May 2021

Antique Georgian Goldfinch Octagonal Micromosaic Ring (similar pictured)

Since the Grammy’s, we’ve been on a ring hunt! Harry has previously worn a Georgian micromosaic ring, on loan from Alessandro Michele, back in 2018.  We’ve been unable to find an exact match for Harry’s new ring but it’s certainly from the same era of antique jewelry. 

Giacomo Raffaelli is regarded as the inventor of the micromosaic style (c. 1775) and a number of his original works are in display at the V&A Museum in London. He frequently depicted a goldfinch defending a clutch of eggs from a snake or a rat in his designs, as seen in our bottom reference image.

Micromosaics grew in popularity during the later parts of Grand Tour-style European tourism in the 18th and 19th century. Italian artisans frequently produced replicas of Raffaelli’s work as souvenirs for travelers. Visitors would then have the micromosaics set into brooches, plaques, and rings when they returned home.

Our closest match to Harry’s ring is shown above, with the micomosaic dated to the early 19th century. We believe Harry’s ring also depicts a goldfinch guarding over a clutch of three eggs, set in 22k gold, from a similar timeframe.

We’d like to thank Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Honorary Curator of the Gilbert Collection at the V&A Museum and author of ‘Micromosaics’, for her consultation on this ring!