Gold ring set with a micro-wood carving. French, 18th century.

A remarkable gold ring set with a micro-wood carving.

French, late 18th century.

Ring size L 1/2 / 6 US.

The bezel measures 1.9 x 1.6cm.

The three dimensional micro-carving depicts a young boy climbing a tree and picking cherries whilst his mother stands at the base. The family home can be seen to the left of the scene before a painted landscape. The mini-masterpiece was once a ring that was converted into a brooch, retaining its original setting it has been lovingly restored back into a ring in matching high carat rose gold.

A remarkably similar example in ivory was presented to Caroline du Colombier by Napoleon Bonaparte and was sold on March 26, 2017 in the ‘Empire à Fontainebleau’ sale by the French auction house Osenat.