ring, sold
GEORGIAN c1740 GOLD BETROTHAL POSY/POESY RING ‘LETS LIVE IN LOVE’
£3,500.00
DESCRIPTION
Of characteristic flattened ‘D’ shape, the 18 carat gold band is engraved to the internal wall with beautiful, antique cursive script. To the front is an oval box compartment, the locket window formed of cut and polished rock crystal, bezel set in a gold ‘push in’ box lid. The hair within is original to the piece.
CONDITION
Excellent condition throughout. Extremely unusually, this very high quality ring has remained perfectly in round due to the thickness and weight of the shank. The Inscription has been deeply incised with the result that it remains immediately readable, escaping the heavy wear that affects many lighter posy rings. The makers mark is clearly stamped and the locket lid is securely positioned without movement. A further bonus is it’s generous size: a great many antique rings are too small to fit today, and obviously posy rings are not suitable for re-sizing. This ring is extremely sturdy, well made and immediately wearable. Will be sent in the box pictured
PRODUCT DETAILS
Size: UK P/ US 7.5/ EU 56
Origin: UNITED KINGDOM
Date: c1740
Materials: 18ct YELLOW GOLD/ ROCK CRYSTAL
Weight: 2.45g
Handmade: YES
Antique: YES
Rare and exceptional early Georgian ‘Posy’ ring, the internal Inscription a personalised adaptation of the rhyming motto ‘Live In Love And Feare The Lord Above’. From the French ‘poesy’ meaning ‘poem’ plain gold wedding bands with an Inscribed message were a medieval tradition that found new favour in the 17th century, when Puritan rule forbade the wearing of ostentatious jewellery: the fashion then petered out towards the end of the 18th century. Despite being unable to identify the makers mark ‘W.M’, I have been able to find a piece of silver recorded with this same stamp and dating to c1740; so dependant upon when the mark was registered, this ring can be confidently dated to the first half of the 18th century, and the reigns of either George I or II.
What makes this rare ring truly exceptional is the presence of a small rock crystal locket compartment complete with the plaited hair of the giver. This is exceptional in posy rings and I can find no further examples; in combination with the Inscription it firmly identifies this ring as a betrothal, rather than the usual wedding bands. The additional word ‘Lets’ to the traditional ‘Live In Love ‘ speaks to future intent, rather than the present, and to be able to prove that difference between this ring and the vast majority of other posy bands is exceptional indeed.
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