Victorian Gold Psyche Ring with Hidden Locket

Item No. 255

Just stunning in craftsmanship and condition, this ring is carved in relief creating a contrasting white on black. The butterfly and shell hint to love and ancient mythology. Psyche means soul in Greek as well as butterfly, which you can see her depicted as here. Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of beauty, was so jealous of Pysche that she sent her son Eros (Cupid) to cast a spell on the famously beautiful Pysche. After missteps and obstacles Pysche eventually gains immortality and she and Eros become wedded in eternal love. This ring is a token of love-because of the story it represents and the added whimsy of the hidden locket. I believe the shell symbolism to be related to Eros although they are more commonly associated with his mother Aphrodite. The scalloped design of the mount not only adds to the beauty of the ring, but also the representation of eternal romance Pysche and Eros share.