Wièse Paris Gothic Revival Devotional Ring

This 18K gold devotional ring created by the firm of Jules Wièse Paris dates from the 1860s. The sculptural form depicts the Blessed Virgin as Mater Amabilis, flanked by columns within a Gothic niche and cusped arch, joining openwork foliate motif shoulders, completed by a rope twist motif shank. This rare example of surviving work in the Neo-Gothic tradition by Wièse reflects the religious faith still so firm in the 19th century, and would perhaps have been given to a young person as a precious memento of confirmation.