A Rare Token Of Affection
In both England and France, posy rings - a ring with a short inscription expressing regard, friendship and most frequently love - were the most popular form of ring from the late medieval period to the 18th century.
Samuel Pepys mentions them in his diary and Shakespeare refers to them in Hamlet and The Merchant of Venice. In both England and France, posy rings - a ring with a short inscription expressing regard, friendship and most frequently love - were the most popular form of ring from the late medieval period to the 18th century.
Taking their name from the old French word ‘poesy’ or 'posie' meaning short rhyme or poem, they reached their peak of popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries when they were typically inscribed inside the band. The wearing of words against the skin was believed to increase their poignancy.
Countless inscriptions have been recorded conveying messages such as ‘True love will not remove, When this you se remember me or You and I will Lovers dye'. The ‘posy’ to the ring that is to be auctioned at our November 21 Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale is unusual - possibly unrecorded. Further details will be released in our auction catalogue. The ring was dug up by the vendor in the garden of their local property. It is believed the land was formerly an orchard once owned by the Countess of Warwick. The estimate for this souvenir of a now forgotten romance is £300-500.
Jewellery, Watches and Silver - Tuesday 21 November, 10am
For more information, please contact:
Catriona Smith | catrionasmith@sworder.co.uk
Recent News
Fashionable Heirlooms
Featured in the April 23 Homes & Interior sale is a wonderful private collection of Georgian shoe buckles. Inherited from the vendor’s parents, and even from their grandparents, they were acquired over a prolonged period with antique shops and Portobello market being popular hunting grounds.
19 April 2024
From Waterloo to Seringapatam
The Homes & Interiors Department are delighted to present a collection of military campaign medals. The 33 lots, sold by a local lady whose late husband was a keen collector, include an example of the most famous gallantry medals - the Waterloo Medal.
19 April 2024
Sculpture Park | Shaping The Future
The Sculpture Park is an online sale running from 26 April to 19 May featuring over 400 lots which are part of an enormous collection of modern and contemporary sculpture assembled by the renowned artist, collector and dealer, Eddie Powell. With estimates ranging from £200-300 to £400,000-600,000 there is something to suit all budgets.
15 April 2024