Lot 060 A MAGNIFICENT AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT ANTIQUE BURMESE RUBY RING CIRCA 18TH – EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Description

A MAGNIFICENT AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT ANTIQUE BURMESE RUBY RING
CIRCA 18TH – EARLY 19TH CENTURY
18世纪 缅甸天然红宝石古董玺戒
MEASUREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS
• Gemstone: Natural Burmese Ruby (No indications of heating)
• Weight: Approx. 19.00 – 22.00 carats
• Color: Rich “Pigeon Blood” Purple-Red
• Cut: Antique Hand-carved Cabochon
• Mount: Modern Silver Ring Mount (Set for preservation)
ESTIMATE
USD 300,000 — 500,000
(HKD 2,340,000 — 3,900,000)
DESCRIPTION
This lot features an extraordinary antique Burmese ruby of immense historical and gemological significance. Weighing an impressive 19 to 22 carats, the gemstone exhibits a deeply saturated, rich purple-red hue—a signature of the most coveted rubies from ancient Mogok mines.
The ruby is shaped in a traditional antique hand-cut cabochon, a style reserved for stones of the highest order during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Most remarkably, the gemstone possesses extraordinary clarity and transparency; while Burmese rubies of this magnitude are typically characterized by dense inclusions, this specimen remains virtually eye-clean, allowing light to glow from within its crystalline structure. This piece represents a pinnacle of historic gemology, merging raw natural power with the refined aesthetic of a bygone era.
描述
此件拍品为一枚体量惊人、极具历史底蕴的古董缅甸红宝石。宝石估重约为 19 至 22 克拉，呈现出顶级红宝石特有的浓郁紫红色调（接近“鸽血红”），色泽深邃且富有生命力。
该红宝石采用古法手工素面（Cabochon）切割，这种工艺盛行于18世纪至19世纪初，专门用于处理皇室级别的珍稀原石。最为震撼之处在于，在如此巨大的规格下，宝石展现了近乎完美的净度与透明度。在同等重量的缅甸红宝石中，几乎不含可见包裹体的标本实属凤毛麟角。这件跨越两百余年的自然瑰宝，不仅是一件奢华的珠宝，更是古老矿区消失的传奇实证。
EXPERT’S NOTE
In the global gemstone market, an antique Burmese ruby exceeding 10 carats is considered a major auction event; a specimen surpassing 20 carats with high transparency is a museum-grade rarity. The hand-polished surface and “soft” edges of this cabochon reflect a pre-industrial lapidary philosophy that prioritized the “soul” of the stone over geometric precision. Its vibrant saturation and historical pedigree make it an essential acquisition for the most discerning connoisseurs of rare colored stones.
在国际宝石收藏界，重量超过 10 克拉且净度极高的古董缅甸红宝石已难得一见，而超过 20 克拉且通透如水的标本堪称馆藏级孤品。此宝石保留了原始的手工打磨痕迹，光泽柔和而内敛，展现了前工业时代“神重于形”的审美追求。其深邃的色彩凝聚了数亿年的地质演化与两个世纪的人文流转，是资深藏家构建顶级珠宝收藏体系的终极基石。
PROVENANCE
• Important Private Collection, Canada.
• Acquired from an aristocratic estate, Europe.
• 加拿大重要私人收藏；购自欧洲贵族遗产。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: The ruby is in exceptional condition. Minor surface wear consistent with its 200-year history. Exceptional internal clarity with no signs of modern treatment.
• 状况： 宝石状况极佳。表面带有与其两百年历史相符的极轻微佩戴痕迹。内部极度纯净，无任何现代热处理迹象，保存状况堪称完美。