An Exceptionally Rare 18th-Century Montgolfier Balloon Ring
An extraordinarily rare commemorative ring celebrating one of the defining breakthroughs of the Enlightenment: the first hot air balloon ascent, launched at Versailles before King Louis XVI on 19 September 1782.
“At long last, man could leave the surface of the earth below.”
The ring is set with rubies and rose-cut diamonds, forming a finely detailed scene of the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph and Étienne, piloting their balloon each depicted grasping a rope on either side of the ascending craft. This miniature tableau captures the moment humanity first rose from the ground, a marvel that transformed science, imagination, and the trajectory of human exploration.
Only a small handful of these rings are known to exist, making this example an exceptionally rare piece of 18th-century innovation, symbolism, and technical artistry.
Origin: French
Date: Circa 1782
Materials: Gold, Silver, Diamond and Ruby
Measurements:
• US ring size: 8½
• Ring face: 2.1 × 1.7 cm