{"product_id":"ionian-ring-c-1820","title":"Ionian Ring c.1820","description":"\u003cp\u003eHistorical high carat gold ring with tiny medallions representing the seven Ionian Islands. c.1820. A central shield is left uninscribed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery similar examples can be found in the British Museum and V and A collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery fine condition. Size 8.  5.1grams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIonian patriot jewellery became popular in the first half of the 19th century. The Ionian Islands had been under British protection since the Treaty of Paris in 1815, but from around 1830, after Greek independence, they began to press for union with Greece. A burgeoning attempt at independence in 1850 was suppressed with a brutality which  prompted Parliamentary discussion. The islands were finally ceded to Greece in 1862.\u003cbr\u003eThe seven islands and their symbols were listed by the Illustrated London News in 1851 :\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIthaca with  Ulysses and his dog Argos\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta Maura ( Lefkada) with a lyre, as the death-place of Sappho\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCephalonia with Cephalus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorfu with arms and emblems,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZante (Zakynthos) with a tripod,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCerigo (Kythira) with Venus emerging from a shell (the island was her supposed birthplace),\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaxos with a trident, as sacred to Neptune.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sian Harlowe Antique Jewellery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63986993037661,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1028\/1205\/7949\/files\/1a1877_e558872f63094ee5a9b0757b4734e713_mv2.avif?v=1774509867","url":"https:\/\/sianharloweantiques.co.uk\/products\/ionian-ring-c-1820","provider":"Sian Harlowe  Antique Jewellery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}