Recently Sold (EDR016)

Edwardian Coronet - Edwardian 10K Ostby & Barton Persian Turquoise Ring.  This beautiful Edwardian ring is made of 10K gold (tested) It has a gorgeous Persian turquoise ( the colour we dream about) set into a beautiful crown like setting with 4 prongs. This ring has lovely hand chased designs on the sides and pierced coronet.  When you look at this workmanship on this ring under magnification the detail is just superb.  This historical ring would make a very special gift or addition to your own jewelry collection. 

Note: Ostby and Barton Co.. a jeweler manufacturing company, was founded in 1879 when Engelhart Cornelis Ostby and Nathan B Barton formed their business partnership. Previous to their partnership, Mr Ostby trained to be a jeweller at the Royal School of Art in Norway. He furthered his education and expertise with six years of apprenticeship working in his hometown of Oslo. 

In 1869, Ostby joined his parents and brother emigrating to the United States. It was here that he worked for two different jewelry companies, first Hunt & Owen, then Arnold and Webster, where he specialized in jewelry design and engraving. 

When Ostby & Barton formed their new jewelry company , they had barely three thousand dollars of capital. Despite this their company would soon be known as "the largest ring manufacturer in the world. The business was thriving, and people in the industry would easily recognize the well known "O.B." stamp on rings. 

Ostby and his daughter Helene Travelled to Europe frequently, to study European jewelry design and production. After 1906, all of Ostby's trips to Europe included his daughter. Little did they know , their last father - daughter trip together would be to France in 1912. This final trip ended in tragedy. 

When the duo were prepared to head back home to Providence, RI, Ostby heard from friends about a ship travelling to New York. The name of the ship was the Titanic. Ostby paid 62 GBP for first class tickets for him and Helene. Ostby was assigned cabin B-30 while Helene was assigned to cabin B-36. It is documented that Ostby carried a black leather bag, which contained gems and other souvenirs from Paris. 

At 11:40 P.M. , on April 14, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg. 

Helene recalled " I sat up straight in bed, trying to make out what had happened. It seemed completely silent for a minute or two. The engines were cut off. The corridors were quiet until one began to hear doors open and voices speaking. The first voice I heard was a woman asking a steward what had happened. He replied calmly " Everything will be alright". 

After the collision. Ostby and his daughter, along with their friends the Warrens, climbed the grand staircase and went out to the boat deck. It was frigid outside, so Ostby decided to quickly return to his room to gather some warmer attire. While he was inside the ship, men insisted Helene board a lifeboat. She desperately wanted her father to join her, but listened to the men and got on the boat. Helene would never see her father again. 

While on the lifeboat, some people were lamenting the loss of their jewelry aboard the sinking ship. Twenty - two year old Helene recalled.  "When somebody happened to mention jewelry left behind I remembered for the first time that I had lost a diamond bar pin which was given to me by my father, which was still pinned to my nightgown aboard the ship. I hadn't even given it a thought and when I was reminded it just didn't matter" 

Ostby was 64 years 3 months and 28 days old when he perished the Titanic, with 1500 other individuals. His body was found by the ship.  

After Helene had time to process the terrible tragedy that occurred , she was able to focus on the family business. She returned to Providence, RI, and along with her brother Harold and his daughter, the three became joint owners of the business their father began back in 1879. 

Despite the 1912 catastrophe, Otsby and Barton Co, continued to produce jewelry into the 1950s. Their advertisements boasted their large jewelry lines, and stated that they specialized in an assortment of different types of jewelry. 

Helene (later changed to Helen) R. Ostby was born on November 30th 1889 and died May 15th 1978. 

"Woman of taste and experience have found one unfailing test of a jeweller's standards of style and value. How does he look upon Ostby & Barton Jewelry? If he knows all the facts, as he ought to, the strongest feature of his stock will be Ostby & Barton ... The foremost House among the jewelry makers of this country. 

Still today , Ostby & Barton jewelry is highly desired by collectors of fine antique jewelry for its beautiful workmanship and historical ties to the Titanic. The quality of these pieces speaks for themselves, as many of the pieces jewelry enthusiasts come across over 100 years old and are in exceptional condition. 

Measurements:  2.00  mm band 

Stone Size: Persian turquoise 5.00 mm 

Weight: 1.20 grams

Ring Size : 5 1/2 

Condition: Excellent

Origin: American 

Date: 1901-1910