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Victorian Engraved Swallow Motif Cigar Band
1/5

Victorian Engraved Swallow Motif Cigar Band

$695.00
Sale price  $695.00 Regular price 
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Someone chose a swallow. Hand engraved into gold, and then they wore it until the details softened into more a feeling than a picture. The bird motif in this 10k gold band is still legible, still present, but smoothed by time into something almost impressionistic. The gold itself has the warm, substantial luster that only comes with age and wear. Not the bright flash of new metal, but the deep glow of something that has been loved.

A band like this doesn’t need a story invented for it. It already has one. If it was a touch larger, I would’ve kept this for my wedding band.

OBJECT RECORD

Era

Victorian, c. 1880s

Materials

10k gold

Condition

Good; engraving shows natural softening from wear, commensurate with age

Ring Size

5

Dimensions

6mm shank

Hallmarks

None

Return policy

All items sold by Tarnish Fine are one-of-a-kind antique and vintage pieces. Purchases can returned or exchanged within 10 days of delivery in unworn condition.

Shipping

Your Tarnish acquisition ships from our studio in Boston, Massachusetts within 1–3 business days. Each piece is packaged with archival materials from TALAS in Brooklyn to be reused for your heirlooms. 

Condition & Authenticity

We practice minimal restoration, preserving original materials and evidence of age wherever possible. We clean and lightly polish every piece, with any further work explicitly disclosed. Each acquisition is individually evaluated and extensively researched. We list everything we know, but please write to us if you have any further questions.

Tarnish Fine is an independent jewelry shop and editorial project based in Boston, specializing in antique and vintage jewelry selected for its material character, history, and wear.

Every acquisition is personally sourced, examined, photographed, and documented by founder and curator India Mackinson.

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Objects Continued