Nepali Silver Saddle ring. The above ring was handcrafted in Kathmandu Nepal in the 1980s. From the 1960s western travellers to Kathmandu realized that the artisans of Kathmandu Valley possessed a deft touch with metal-working, and a thriving business was established, travellers working with the artisans to create Silver jewellery to on-sell in the West. By the 1980s the design of the above ring was one of the staples of Kathmandu ring designs.
Its design incorporates the Tibetan “saddle” ring form, -in its original shape it really does resemble a saddle, rising up distinctly at both ends of the ring mount, sometimes even abruptly, a ridge- with a hand-carved Victorian floral motif marrying the band with the mount.
Both the Silver and the gemstones must be imported into the country, for Nepal is blessed with neither commodity. The above ring has no Silver stamp for it was understood at the time that the Silver used was of a higher Silver content than 925: the higher Silver content made the task of hand carving easier.