Early 18th Century Silver-Gilt Posy Ring
An early 18th century silver-gilt posy ring, c.1700
An early 18th century silver-gilt posy ring, c.1700
An early 18th century silver-gilt posy ring, c.1700
A posy ring with a D-section shank, engraved to the interior with the words ‘God did decre our Unitey’ in early script. Unmarked.
Posy rings were a form of love token ranging in date from the mid fifteenth to eighteenth centuries but increasing in popularity from c.1600 onwards. They take their name from the French poésie, meaning poem, and the custom of sending flowers or small tokens of affection together with a poem. Rings could be given to friends, relatives and lovers, as well as used at betrothals and wedding ceremonies. The secret message on the inside of the ring was concealed and its content only known to the wearer and giver.
A posy ring with the same phrase can be found in the British Museum, see Franks Bequest Catalogue of Finger Rings by O.M. Dalton, Assistant Keeper of the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography, 1912, ring 1164.
Dimensions:
Ring size P ¾ approx. (UK)
Weight 5.6g.