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18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'
18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'

18th Century Posy Ring: 'Remember the Giver'

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This delicate posy ring might look simple when worn, but its charming secret lies hidden from the viewer,  and touches the skin of its wearer, since the inside of the shank is engraved with the phrase: ‘Remember the Giver’. 

The term, 'Posy' derives from 'poésie', the French word for poetry. Rings with a hidden message on the inside of the shank were worn since Medieval times, and originally often contained a prayer or other message that was worn for good luck and fortune. From the 17th Century onwards, posy rings were created as a token of either romantic love or friendship, and contained messages in Latin, French or English. The use of posy rings fell out of fashion in the end of the 18th Century, when more extensive laws regarding the hallmarking of gold items made it more difficult to inscribe the inside of a ring shank. 

The posy inscription inside this ring is noted as being documented from Joan Evans' own personal collection (see Evans, Joan, 'English Posies and Posy Rings', London, 1931, p.90). Another ring with the same inscription is mentioned in the latest book on posy rings (See: Scarisbrick, Diana, ‘I Lyke My Choyce, posy rings from the Griffin Collection', London, 2021, p. 156).

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Size: US 7.5 / UK O, circumference 56 mm. It is  2,8 mm wide. 
This ring cannot be resized. 

Weight: 1.48 grams.

Age: Late 17th / early 18th Century, circa 1700. 

Material: The ring carries no hallmarks but has been acid tested as being at least 18k gold. There is a '>' shaped inscription at the end of the sentence which is likely a maker's mark, which I was not able to identify. 

Condition: The ring is in good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with its age. 

Provenance: This ring was formerly part of the Hercules collection.



Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only. 

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