Featured Mens ring with black stone, signet style

This is what appears to be a mens ring, size 11. There are no visible makers marks or stamps anywhere on the ring. Any ideas on what era this could be? I was thinking 1920's-30's. I think the stone is onyx and I do believe the metal is sterling silver. Beautiful designs around the band.

 

Looks like the ring was cast and sized at some point.

 

I thought it was likely resized as well because of a small line I noticed on the back of the band. So would casting imply that this is a newer ring? art deco style reproduction?

 

It wants to be an old ring, but the inside says newer.

 

Without a identified maker's mark it's impossible to date the ring.The type of engraving on the original ring has been done for over a hundred years and still engraved today.

 

A very nice Renaissance-inspired ring.

Newer than very old. For instance, 18th century rings were hammered from a sheet of (precious) metal. Later rings were cast.
There is some wear and nice natural patina on the ring, so not brand new. Could be first half of the 20th century.

 

thank you! Was there a certain time period or periods where it was common for sterling jewelry not to be stamped with silver content or makers marks? Or is this just a random anonymity that happens sometimes regardless of time period with jewelry?

 

It's common for certain time periods in certain regions. In some places, you already knew what jewelry was made from, so marks were superfluous.

 

If a country doesn't assay pieces by gold- and silversmiths, it is up to the makers if and how they mark their work.

In countries with an official assay system, every piece is tested and marked so you have a guarantee when you buy it. These assay marks are called hallmarks, after the old guild halls where pieces were assayed.
Hallmarking countries also generally require individual maker's marks, which are registered.
Hallmarking is serious business, highly controlled. Random marks are not hallmarks, despite American usage of the term for such marks.

 

Metal content marks aren't hallmarks, and in fact in the UK you can't sell silver or gold made elsewhere as silver or gold unless it has a full set of marks. Maybe only British import marks count. We Yanks aren't as fussy, but it does mean we attract some scummy types who sell metal with fake marks as silver or gold. (usually made in China.)