A German 18k gold and rock crystal kinetic "water" ring with capsule bezel including a porcelain placque with the Madonna and filled with black liquid, loose gem stones, diamonds, gold powder and gold sheet strips.
Custom-made piece. Broad convex ring band with moulded oval bezel containing a 19th century porcelain miniature with an image of the Virgin Mary, filled with black liquid in which float loose strips of gold leaf, gold powder, diamonds in various cuts, faceted rubies and emeralds and heart-shaped opals. Band hand engraved: Fineness 750, maker's mark "FM 84", owner's monogram "CH". The capsule with a dent. Bezel 3.1 x 2.5 cm. Ring size ca. 54. Weight 41.57 g.
Falko Marx, Cologne 1984.
This type of kinetic "water ring", often incorporating objets trouvés, has appeared in Falko Marx's oeuvre since the late 1960s. In this case, the ring includes an image of the Madonna. "Liquid containing bubbles, sometimes coloured black, gold granules, sticks of precious metal and gemstones conceal or reveal parts of the motif as they move, kaleidoscopically varying the overall appearance of the piece of jewellery in often surprising ways" (Gerhard Dietrich in the foreword to the catalogue cited, p. 8).
Provenance
Spanish private ownership.
Literature
Cf. water rings with images of saints in Falko Marx (ed.), Falko Marx - Schmuck/Jewellery, Cologne 2009, pp. 104, 108. 114, 122.