The main attraction of jewellery is arguably based on aesthetics – the way an item shines, sparkles, shimmers … the list goes on. Sometimes, however, a unique design feature that creates intrigue and mystery can leave a lasting impression on a customer.
Most readers will know not to “judge a book by its cover”, hence jewellery pieces with secret compartments are a testament to the rule. The popularity of jewellery that featured hidden compartments – and agendas – grew during the Renaissance era, but its existence dates back to 183 B.C.
Poison rings and similar vessel pieces have been said to be synonymous with causing mysterious deaths and were commonly used by the wearer to slip poison into an enemy’s food or drink.
The first documented evidence of the use of a poison ring was by the famous general of Carthage, Hannibal. His ring was the subsequent cause of his own demise – he consumed the poison his ring concealed to avoid torture and betrayal when captured by his enemies, the Romans.
In the Renaissance era, European aristocracies, such as the Borgia family, used poison rings to gain political power. Lucrezia Borgia, the daughter of Pope Alexander VI, is rumoured to have had a hollow ring that she used to contaminate the drinks of political rivals, gaining her own family’s political domination.
However, it was a locket ring owned by Queen Elizabeth I that reportedly changed the nature of vessel jewellery from malicious to nostalgic.
The piece – made from mother of pearl and embossed with rubies and diamonds – was commissioned in 1575 and opens to display two miniature portraits. One portrait is of the Queen and the other is of an unnamed woman believed to be her mother.
The locket ring is said to have treasured the secret pain she felt about her deceased mother.
Furthermore, jewellery pieces that guard and protect a lock of a loved one’s hair were popular in the Victorian era and around the time of the American Civil War.
The notion of jewellery that contains secret compartments has carried through into the present day – although the reasoning behind designs is now less about protection. Modern-day adaptations of jewellery with secret compartments tend to adopt trivial, fun, practical and affectionate meanings.
Examples include a ring that when opened contains a USB flash drive and a pendant designed as a walnut shell that parts to reveal a walnut sitting inside.
Trivial or not, a hidden trait might be the unique offering that a customer has been searching for. Just don’t let too many people in on the secret.
Below is a compilation of contemporary jewellery pieces from around the world that feature secret compartments.
The main attraction of jewellery is arguably based on aesthetics – the way an item shines, sparkles, shimmers … the list goes on. Sometimes, however, a unique design feature that creates intrigue and mystery can leave a lasting impression on a customer.
Most readers will know not to “judge a book by its cover”, hence jewellery pieces with secret compartments are a testament to the rule. The popularity of jewellery that featured hidden compartments – and agendas – grew during the Renaissance era, but its existence dates back to 183 B.C.
Poison rings and similar vessel pieces have been said to be synonymous with causing mysterious deaths and were commonly used by the wearer to slip poison into an enemy’s food or drink.
The first documented evidence of the use of a poison ring was by the famous general of Carthage, Hannibal. His ring was the subsequent cause of his own demise – he consumed the poison his ring concealed to avoid torture and betrayal when captured by his enemies, the Romans.
In the Renaissance era, European aristocracies, such as the Borgia family, used poison rings to gain political power. Lucrezia Borgia, the daughter of Pope Alexander VI, is rumoured to have had a hollow ring that she used to contaminate the drinks of political rivals, gaining her own family’s political domination.
However, it was a locket ring owned by Queen Elizabeth I that reportedly changed the nature of vessel jewellery from malicious to nostalgic.
The piece – made from mother of pearl and embossed with rubies and diamonds – was commissioned in 1575 and opens to display two miniature portraits. One portrait is of the Queen and the other is of an unnamed woman believed to be her mother.
The locket ring is said to have treasured the secret pain she felt about her deceased mother.
Furthermore, jewellery pieces that guard and protect a lock of a loved one’s hair were popular in the Victorian era and around the time of the American Civil War.
The notion of jewellery that contains secret compartments has carried through into the present day – although the reasoning behind designs is now less about protection. Modern-day adaptations of jewellery with secret compartments tend to adopt trivial, fun, practical and affectionate meanings.
Examples include a ring that when opened contains a USB flash drive and a pendant designed as a walnut shell that parts to reveal a walnut sitting inside.
Trivial or not, a hidden trait might be the unique offering that a customer has been searching for. Just don’t let too many people in on the secret.
Below is a compilation of contemporary jewellery pieces from around the world that feature secret compartments.
The main attraction of jewellery is arguably based on aesthetics – the way an item shines, sparkles, shimmers … the list goes on. Sometimes, however, a unique design feature that creates intrigue and mystery can leave a lasting impression on a customer.
Most readers will know not to “judge a book by its cover”, hence jewellery pieces with secret compartments are a testament to the rule. The popularity of jewellery that featured hidden compartments – and agendas – grew during the Renaissance era, but its existence dates back to 183 B.C.
Poison rings and similar vessel pieces have been said to be synonymous with causing mysterious deaths and were commonly used by the wearer to slip poison into an enemy’s food or drink.
The first documented evidence of the use of a poison ring was by the famous general of Carthage, Hannibal. His ring was the subsequent cause of his own demise – he consumed the poison his ring concealed to avoid torture a