A rare silver, marcasite and paste ballooning ring

France, circa 1783



the silver beaded wirework ring set in red pastes and marcasites with a montgolfière or charlière

Good condition but would benefit from professional cleaning; struck with later French "hibou" control mark
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Following a successful attempt with animals (a sheep, duck and cock) at Versailles, the brothers Montgolfier organised the first human flight in a hot air balloon in November 1783, much against Louis XVI's wishes as he did not believe that men should fly. Not two weeks later, on 1 December, the physicist Jacques-Alexandre Charles (1746-1823) and the inventor Nicolas Robert (1758-1820) took to the air in their hydrogen balloon, watched by 400,000 Parisians. Their flight, lasting two hours and travelling twenty-five miles, proved the superiority of hydrogen and formed the model for most later balloons