Probably Spanish or Spanish Colonial, c.1650

Cabouchon emeral, 15 mm wide
Later gold setting.

Depicting a Griffin, the fantasy creature with the body of a lion and the head and the wings of an eagle.
From the moment that Columbus completed his epic voyage of discovery in 1492 the riches of the New World lured the intrepid traveller. During the succeeding centuries, Spanish fleets braved the hazardous seas in their quest for treasure. These early trips were rewarded by the spoils they seized from the Indian tribes, then the secrets of the fabled emerald mines of Muzo and Chivor in Colombia were revealed to the conquistadors, along with pearls from the shores of Venezuela, vast deposits of silver from the Potosí mine in Bolivia and gold mined in Colombia and the surrounding regions.

In heraldry, the griffin's amalgamation of lion and eagle gains in courage and boldness, and it is always drawn as a powerful fierce monster. It is used to denote strength and military courage and leadership. Griffins are portrayed with a lion's body, an eagle's head, long ears, and an eagle's claws, to indicate that one must combine intelligence and strength.