An Edwardian single stone garnet ring by Ostby & Barton, set with an almandine garnet, measuring 7.8mm diameter, with scrolling engraved decoration to the shoulders, with eagle and arrow maker's mark for Ostby & Barton, ring size S 1/2. Total weight 5.5g.

The eagle and arrow maker’s mark was in use by Ostby & Barton until 1912, when a return journey from Europe on the Titanic ended in tragedy.

Ostby and Barton were founded in 1879 when Engelhart Cornelius Ostby and Nathan B. Barton formed their business partnership. Previous to their partnership, Mr Ostby trained to be a jeweller at the Royal School of Art in Norway.

In 1869, Ostby joined his parents and brother in emigrating to the United States. It was here that he worked for two different jewellery companies, first Hunt & Owen, then Arnold and Webster, where he specialized in jewellery design & engraving.

Ostby and his daughter Helene travelled to Europe frequently, to study European jewellery design and production. After 1906, all of Ostby’s trips to Europe included his daughter. Little did they know, their last father-daughter trip together would be to France in 1912. This final trip ended in tragedy.

When the duo were prepared to head back home to Providence, RI, Ostby heard from friends about a ship travelling to New York. The name of the ship was the Titanic. It is documented that Ostby carried a black leather doctor’s bag, which contained gems and other souvenirs from Paris.

After the collision, Ostby and his daughter, along with their friends the Warrens, climbed the grand staircase and went out to the boat deck. It was frigid outside, so Ostby decided to quickly return to his room to gather some warmer attire. While he was inside the ship, men insisted Helene board a lifeboat. She desperately wanted her father to join, but she listened to the men and got on the boat. Helene would never see her father again.