The jewelry we call "Berlin iron" was produced as part of the gold-for-iron campaign that began in 1813. To fund the Prussian effort to repel the forces of Napoleon, citizens were urged to donate their gold to the state and were given a piece of lacquered iron jewelry in return. The drive was so successful that the Prussian war chests were filled, but also the wearing of gold jewelry became a social faux pas - unseemly and unpatriotic. As a result, jewelers began to sell tons of the distinctive black Berlin iron jewelry. (Of course lots of people just hid their gold 'till the war was over.) The gold-for-iron campaign was briefly revived during the first world war with less success. This piece is from that German campaign, and is lined with gold (perhaps after the war?) so as not to tarnish the finger. "ANNY" is engraved within.