Emerald and Diamond Victorian Ring

A very handsome early Victorian emerald and diamond ring, centred with a horizontally set rectangular-cut emerald within a tiered, cushion-shaped double surround of diamonds, all in elegant pinched collet settings with open backs. The head is flanked by bifurcated foliate shoulders leading to an engraved shank, beautifully detailed and typical of the period. Dating from circa 1850–60, the ring is finely crafted in silver and 18ct gold.

Current Ring Size: L

PROVENANCE
From the estate of Lady Phyllis Mary Coryndon (née Worthington, 1880–1961), and thence by descent. Robert Coryndon (1870–1925), born in South Africa, was a prominent colonial administrator, serving as Governor of Uganda and later Kenya, having earlier worked as secretary to Cecil Rhodes. He married Phyllis Worthington in 1909, and together they lived in Africa while working to promote African welfare and more responsible imperial governance. After his sudden death in 1925, Lady Phyllis settled in England, where she campaigned for children in poverty, speaking for organisations such as the Women’s Institute and encouraging education and employment opportunities. A talented artist involved in the English Arts & Crafts movement from the late 1920s, she specialised in silk painting and embroidery, later returning to Kenya with her daughter Honor, where she died in 1961.