AboutBill and Sally Jarrett Expertise We are collectors, hobbyists and dealers in memorabilia and antiques - especially antique vintage and costume jewelry items. For 10 years we owned an antique shop here in Central Florida but retired and reopened a site on the internet that specializes mostly in antique jewelry and accessories such as perfume bottles, etc. Bill is informed on general antiques specializing in china and silver or sterling tablewares while Sally tends to jewelry and paper/advertising ephemera. We receive a lot of general questions from our site and would be glad to try and answer or give direction not considered for official appraisal purposes, i.e. estate or insurance.
Experience 10 years as antique shop owners
8 years as a jewelry designer supplying designs
to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and MGM as well
well as other limited outlets.
Question Hello!
I am trying to find more information about a ring my father gave to me. The ring was his mother's, which was given to her by her father for her 16th birthday (circa late 1800-1920's). The ring is 18K gold, stamped Peacock on the inside band. It has my grandmother's initals EMS carved in the top of the ring (script). It has (worn) serpent or dragon with wings on the sides of the ring. ...My dad thought that it might have a lodge (masonic?) affiliation. ..I'm thinking it might be zodiac or year of the dragon.(?) My father said it was purchased (by his grandfather) at Peacocks in downtown Chicago, IL. ...Anyway, have you ever come across a ring like this? Any info would be greatly appreciated!
-S-
Answer Hello Sue and thank you for your inquiry. Peacock's was a jeweler in Chicago during the mid 1800's. A fire in Chicago destroyed practically everything in town except the Peacock vault and they were able to save the company and start over . Peacock was sold in 1970 to the Dayton-Hudson Corporation out of Minneapolis. Items from the Peacock store were often stamped with the store name. Early Peacock items were sold to buckskin-clad trappers who carried them on to the West. You may be able to find more information in the library archives in Chicago. Hope this helps and enjoy your ring ! A true piece of history.
