Antique Gold Turquoise Ring by Murrle, Bennett & Co.

The Arts and Crafts movement was born out of a rejection of the industrial revolution. Artist felt that the mechanization of creating daily objects detracted from the enjoyment of daily life as a whole. Furniture, household items, even jewelry, once made completely by hand, were now being machined, assembly lined, destroying the unique nature of hand crafted goods. Much of the jewelry done in the Arts and Crafts style was done in silver, using gems that were inexpensive and easily sourced, but some of the firms of this era, working in this style, used gold, and I’m always a little extra thrilled when I come across these beautiful representations of the craft. This fabulous ring was made by the firm of Murrle, Bennett & Company, an Anglo-German firm started by Ernst Murrle and J.B. Bennett, which produced pieces for retail by the store 'Liberty and Co.', famous London Arts and Crafts dealers. The company was in existence from 1886-1914, this ring was most likely made around 1900.