OBJECTS OF NOTE | MASTERS & MUSES | WORLD OF CABANA
Antique dealer Laura Kugel sheds light on, and shares beautiful images of, one of the 18th-century's most remarkable decorative objects: the 'Ringstein Kabinett', miniature treasure troves holding dozens of polished, carved stones from around the world.
BY LAURA KUGEL | MASTERS & MUSES | 15 DECEMBER 2024
In the refined world of late 18th-century European nobility, where intellectual curiosity and sensual delight intertwined, the 'Ringstein Kabinett' emerged as a remarkable creation. Originating in Dresden, these exquisite ring cabinets, or 'lithological ring cabinets', were miniature treasure troves combining the elegance of jewelry with the intellectual allure of natural sciences. Concealed within a deceptively simple book-like exterior, these cabinets revealed trays lined with velvet or paper, each holding dozens of polished, carved stones from around the world.
Each “Ringstein Kabinett” came with a single adjustable ring designed to showcase these stones. Owners could interchange the stones, transforming their jewelry to suit the occasion, a practice reflecting both personal taste and erudition. The Greek term “daktyliotheke”, once used to describe collections of rings, evolved to include these sophisticated assemblages of gemstones and minerals. They were not only accessories but symbols of the burgeoning interest in natural sciences, bridging the gap between aesthetic pleasure and scholarly pursuit in a typical Enlightenment fashion.
The stones themselves were a testament to the global reach of the era's trade networks and the sophisticated tastes of their owners. While many stones were sourced locally from Saxon mines, others were exotic imports—lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, aventurine from the Urals, or labradorite from the Americas—demonstrating a fascination with the natural world's diversity.
Gold bonbonnière set with 57 numbered gemstones, Dresden circa 1785-90, by Johann Christian Neuber, Galerie Kugel.
These cabinets were more than mere showcases of wealth and knowledge; they were objects of profound personal significance. The intimate act of selecting and setting a stone into the ring was a ritual that allowed the owner to engage with their collection in a tactile, personal way. We can assume it was an experience that married science with sensuality, fashion with intellectualism.
Although only about 30 examples of these cabinets are known to exist today, their legacy is enduring. Created by master craftsmen such as Johann Christian Neuber, who also made wonderful gold boxes set with numbered stones, these cabinets were like portable 'Wunderkammern', encapsulating a world of wonder and discovery in the palm of one's hand. Their rarity and the delicate choice of materials make them highly sought after by collectors and historians alike, a symbol of the era’s fascination with the interplay between nature, art, and science.
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