This rare and collectible handkerchief holder was quite a trend in late 1800s. During this period, ladies often wore a small perfume bottle or vinaigrette for personal use. One variation of this trend was to spritz a handkerchief with your favourite perfume and hold it in your hand: this holder makes sure that you do not lose it since it! The clover-shaped part, which is decorated with black enamel and seed pearls, can be slid open to catch a handkerchief, and is fastened with a small gold chain that is attached to a simple gold ring.
The book 'Chatelaines: Utility to Glorious Extravagance', by Genevieve E. Cummings, Boston, 1994, mentions this quote about this new fad, found in a magazine from 1904 (p. 85):
'One of the newest fads in English society is the handkerchief-ring. It consists of a jewelled circlet to which is attached a very thin gold chain ending in a delicate clasp. This clasp holds the handkerchief, which is, of course nothing more than a piece of costly lace.'
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: Ring size US 5,5, UK K 1/2, circumference 51 mm: the chain and holder are 9,5 cm long.
Weight: 5.45 grams.
Age: Late 19th / early 20th Century, circa 1900.
Material: Acid tested as 14k gold.
Condition: In good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with its age. There is one minor chip in the enameling.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes. This shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.