A silver lion ring by Mosheh Oved, circa 1945, of angular form with hammered finish, the man...

A silver lion ring by Mosheh Oved, circa 1945, of angular form with hammered finish, the mane modelled in gold, the shank formed by the legs and vertical tail, unsigned, ring size approximately K. £4,000-£6,000 --- Provenance: Alexandra Mitchell, known as ‘Doris’ to colleagues and clients, worked at Cameo Corner from 1957 until its closure in the 1970s. This Mosheh Oved ring was presented to her by the management of the shop. Mosheh Oved (1885-1958), also known by his anglicised name Edward Good, was a charismatic and talented jeweller, sculptor, poet and writer. Emigrating from Poland around 1902, he came to London and trained as a watchmaker. Initially he was based in Fetter Lane, Holborn, later moving to 1, New Oxford Street. In 1938 he become the owner of a celebrated Bloomsbury antique shop called Cameo Corner, in Museum Street, near the British Museum. By now, a world expert on cameos and a highly original jeweller, Oved was an eccentric character, often seen dressed in long flowing purple velvet robes, entertaining his customers (which included Queen Mary) with stories and anecdotes. According to one story, whilst sheltering in the basement of Cameo Corner during the Blitz, Oved first began modelling his animal rings to steady his trembling hands. His first ring was a lamb, perhaps a symbol of the ultimate sacrificial lamb, made from the silver of Oved’s own cufflinks after he learnt that a client’s son had been killed in action. Oved went on to make numerous anthropomorphic rings, mostly in silver, but some in gold, modelled as charming animals and birds and often displaying human characteristics. Condition Report General surface wear throughout, small nick to the silver base. Gross weight 30.9gm.