Silver Tone Malachite Poison Ring Oval Stone Vintage

Silver tone, oval Malachite poison ring. Clasp on front & hinge on back, stone lifts to hidden compartment.Vintage. EUC. Poison rings have long history. Initially used to administer poisons or facilitate suicide. More common to be used for suicide rather than murder. Sometimes still used for historical context or Gothic style. Originated in ancient India & the Far East & used to hold poisons or other precious keepsakes, replaced practice of wearing keepsakes around the neck. Ancient Rome used to commit suicide when facing torture or capture. Roman historian Pliny the Elder noted Roman official used poison ring to avoid torture. Medieval Era became associated w/aristocracy & sometimes called “Black Widow Ring” to instill fear. Gained popularity in Europe in the16th century, time of court intrigue & secret alliances. Notorious Spanish-Italian Noblewoman Lucrezia Borgia rumored to use against political enemies. Concept of secret compartment evolved into “locket rings“ during Renaissance & used to hold miniature portraits, locks of hair or religious relics. Victorian era, fashionable as “funeral rings“ or “Memento Mori rings“ holding personal mementos of deceased loved ones. Current usage is rare, still made & sought after as historical artifact or fashion pieces w/dark aesthetic. Please be sure to look at pictures closely as they are part of the description. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for shopping my closet! Inventory #R96 MALACHITE POISON RING