Poor Mouchette

A late-vintage Italian ring with Georgian flavor, modeled in bloomed 14k yellow gold and set with a yellow glass intaglio seal. The seal is carved in the ancient Roman style— it depicts the story of Andronocles and the Lion, wherein a Roman slave removes a thorn from a lion’s paw, and is later spared by his friend in the arena. The ring’s ornate, curling shoulders are set with blue sapphire cabochons. It’s chunky, rectangular bezel is graved with fine vertical lines. We love the sentiment here, about mercy, fidelity, and the rewards of taking a risk, or making oneself vulnerable! This ring is not yet online. Visit us at the shop, today, between 12-5, or dm for details. Poor Mouchette is open Wednesday-Saturday, from from 12-5. Shop with us online at www.poormouchette.com, where we are always open (link in profile).

A striking, vintage modernist ring, by the beloved design house Lapponia Finland, modeled in bloomed 18k yellow gold and accented with platinum. This ring features a small, sparkling brilliant cut diamond (E/F, VS). The diamond is set in a long, platinum tube bezel, so it reads like a beacon, beaming out over the organic forms beneath it! We see these soft, undulating forms as waves, but they might also be read more abstractly, as an embrace. The diamond could be a sun, or moon, rising atop a mountain in the distance, or it could be a searchlight, guiding onlookers away from danger. We love Lapponia's designs for their reflection of the natural world, and for their ability to inspire the imagination! This graceful example would make a lovely engagement ring! It stacks well with other slender bands. Poor Mouchette is open Wednesday-Saturday, from 12-5. Shop with us online at www.poormouchette.com, where we are always open (link in profile).

An original, 1852, type-3 Liberty Dollar (90% gold, or approx 22k) designed by the American portraitist and engraver James B Longacre, holed and fitted with a 14k gold jump ring so it can be worn as a pendant or charm. This little coin features a left facing bust of liberty— in this depiction she has set aside her coronet in favor of a feathered headdress. The word "liberty" is emblazoned on the band of this headdress, and the words "United States of America" encircle the bust, following the line of the coin's notched edge. A garland of flowers decorates the coin's reverse side, where it is dated for 1862. This coin is in lovely crisp condition, and we love its diminutive size! It looks wonderful worn as a pendant, hanging from a dainty chain. Poor Mouchette is open Wednesday-Saturday, from 12-5. Shop with us online at poormouchette.com, where we are always open (link in profile).

A sweet 1970s ring, modeled as a flower in 14k yellow gold, at whose center a celadon green cat’s eye tourmaline rests in three prongs. This graceful blossom is beautifully textured with fine stippling, and graved details. A small, prong-set white diamond is posted at its base. This ring has a charming, curvy shank, which recalls the bending stem of a light, delicate flower! Its cat’s eye tourmaline has an especially smooth crystalline structure, and a broad, prominent eye that moves with wearer. Cat’s eye tourmaline is said to transform negative thoughts, and to shield its wearer from the negative energy of others. We love the gentle, serene vibe of this vintage ring 🍃. Poor Mouchette is open Wednesday-Saturday, from 12-5. Shop with us online at www.poormouchette.com, where we are always open (link in profile).

A lovely Victorian-era, repoussé heart padlock, modeled in 14k yellow gold, that is still partnered with its original 14k gold key! This antique charm is a functioning lock, and it is in wonderful condition. The heart-shaped lock is decorated all-over with flowers and fine, swirling, baroque forms, and the key's top echos this motif. The low points of this repoussé work are deeply patinaed— the contrast provided by these blackened recesses makes this little object especially winning. This padlock would have originally been used as the focal piece for a bracelet or necklace, and (as a clasp) to connect its two ends. We love a heart-shaped lock, for its clear symbolic sentiment— "bind me to you;" "bind us together!" It is rare to find a period lock with a functioning key mechanism, and rarer yet to find it still paired with its key. Poor Mouchette is open Wednesday-Saturday, from 12-5. Shop with us online at www.poormouchette.com (link in profile).