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Antique Posy Ring

Enamelled posy ring, ‘CONTENEW + CONSTANTE’, 16th century.
Enamelled posy ring, ‘CONTENEW + CONSTANTE’, 16th century.

Enamelled posy ring, ‘CONTENEW + CONSTANTE’, 16th century.

Located in London, GB

Enamelled posy ring, 16th century. A yellow gold posy ring, the interior engraved ‘CONTENEW + CONSTANTE’, meaning ‘content and constant’ in old French, the letters in black enamel.

Category

16th Century Antique Posy Ring

Post Medieval Gold Posy Ring TOVT IOVRS LOIALL
Post Medieval Gold Posy Ring TOVT IOVRS LOIALL

Post Medieval Gold Posy Ring TOVT IOVRS LOIALL

Located in London, GB

Post Medieval gold posy ring '+ TOVT IOVRS LOIALL' ('ever faithful').

Category

15th Century and Earlier Medieval Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Gold posy ring, 'A true Friends gift', 18th century.
Gold posy ring, 'A true Friends gift', 18th century.

Gold posy ring, 'A true Friends gift', 18th century.

Located in London, GB

Gold posy ring, 'A true friends gift', English. The slim D-shape band engraved to the interior in enamelled italic script 'A true friends gift’, approximately 2.4mm in width.

Category

18th Century Georgian Antique Posy Ring

Enamelled posy ring, 'Jesu be in my begininge', 17th century.
Enamelled posy ring, 'Jesu be in my begininge', 17th century.

Enamelled posy ring, 'Jesu be in my begininge', 17th century.

Located in London, GB

Enamelled posy ring, 'Jesu be in my begininge'. The broad D-shape band engraved to the interior in italic script and enamelled 'Jesu be in my begininge'.

Category

17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Exquisite Engraved Gold Medieval Posy Ring c. 1400 – 1450
Exquisite Engraved Gold Medieval Posy Ring c. 1400 – 1450

Exquisite Engraved Gold Medieval Posy Ring c. 1400 – 1450

Located in Chicago, IL

Such tender inscriptions were typical of posy rings, exchanged as intimate gifts between lovers or as devotional pledges.

Category

15th Century and Earlier Medieval Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Georgian Carved Posy Ring 'Nosse Te Ipsum', circa 18th Century
Georgian Carved Posy Ring 'Nosse Te Ipsum', circa 18th Century

Georgian Carved Posy Ring 'Nosse Te Ipsum', circa 18th Century

Located in London, GB

See Evans, J., 'English Posies and Posy Rings', 1931, p.84 for two variations on this posy- both found on signet rings.

Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Gold posy ring, 'Rather die then faith deny', circa 18th century.
Gold posy ring, 'Rather die then faith deny', circa 18th century.

Gold posy ring, 'Rather die then faith deny', circa 18th century.

Located in London, GB

Gold posy ring, 'Rather die then faith deny'. A smoothly conforming yellow gold D-shape band engraved to the interior 'Rather die then faith deny' in elegant script, approximately 6....

Category

18th Century Georgian Antique Posy Ring

Post Medieval posy ring 'Live in love and love in god *', circa 17th century.
Post Medieval posy ring 'Live in love and love in god *', circa 17th century.

Post Medieval posy ring 'Live in love and love in god *', circa 17th century.

Located in London, GB

Post Medieval posy ring 'Live in love and love in god *'. A smoothly conforming posy ring, engraved to the interior 'Live in love and love in god *' approximately 5.9mm in width.

Category

17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Gold posy ring 'Noe joy in life like a good wife', circa 18th century.
Gold posy ring 'Noe joy in life like a good wife', circa 18th century.

Gold posy ring 'Noe joy in life like a good wife', circa 18th century.

Located in London, GB

Tested yellow gold, maker's mark 'DP' within a shield, approximately 6.44g in weight, circa 18th century. This posy motto is unique- it is not listed in Joan Evan's extensive catalo...

Category

18th Century Regency Antique Posy Ring

Post-Medieval posy ring 'loue is the bonde of peace', circa 1600-1650.
Post-Medieval posy ring 'loue is the bonde of peace', circa 1600-1650.

Post-Medieval posy ring 'loue is the bonde of peace', circa 1600-1650.

Located in London, GB

Post-Medieval posy ring 'loue is the bonde of peace'. An ornately crafted gold posy ring featuring nine hollow domed half-spheres, each encircled by twisted wirework, and bordered by...

Category

Early 17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Georgian Gold Posy Ring "True Loue is My Desire" circa 18th Century
Georgian Gold Posy Ring "True Loue is My Desire" circa 18th Century

Georgian Gold Posy Ring "True Loue is My Desire" circa 18th Century

Located in London, GB

UK finger size N. This posy is completely unique- there is no record of this posy or any similar listed in Joan Evans' extensive catalogue- see Evans, J., 'English Posies and Posy R...

Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

C1690 Seventeenth Century 22K Posy Ring with motto “A Frende's Gifte"
C1690 Seventeenth Century 22K Posy Ring with motto “A Frende's Gifte"

C1690 Seventeenth Century 22K Posy Ring with motto “A Frende's Gifte"

Located in Baltimore, MD

A posey ring reading “A Friends Gift” is featured on the back of the book jacket, ENGLISH POSIES AND POSY RINGS” (shown below in images).

Category

1690s English George I Antique Posy Ring

Materials

22k Gold

Medieval gold posy ring, 'Love is the bond of peace', circa early 17th century
Medieval gold posy ring, 'Love is the bond of peace', circa early 17th century

Medieval gold posy ring, 'Love is the bond of peace', circa early 17th century

Located in London, GB

Post medieval gold posy ring. A smoothly conforming yellow gold D-shape band, engraved to the interior in italic script 'Love is the bond of peace', approximately 4.7mm in width and ...

Category

Late 17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Late Medieval Engraved Posy Ring, 'For Good Love', Circa 15th Century.
Late Medieval Engraved Posy Ring, 'For Good Love', Circa 15th Century.

Late Medieval Engraved Posy Ring, 'For Good Love', Circa 15th Century.

Located in London, GB

Post Medieval Engraved Posy Ring, 'For Good Love'. A yellow gold flat band, the exterior engraved around the full circumference with a stylised floral and foliate design and italic i...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Early posy ring 'In the my choyse I do reioyse', circa 16th - 17th century.
Early posy ring 'In the my choyse I do reioyse', circa 16th - 17th century.

Early posy ring 'In the my choyse I do reioyse', circa 16th - 17th century.

Located in London, GB

Early posy ring 'In the my choyse I do reioyse'. A smoothly conforming D-shape band, inscribed in relief to the exterior in seriffed capitals ' + IN * THE * MY * CHOYSE *', the inter...

Category

16th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Post Medieval 22K Posy Ring shaped in a Love Knot, I will be Faithful To the End
Post Medieval 22K Posy Ring shaped in a Love Knot, I will be Faithful To the End

Post Medieval 22K Posy Ring shaped in a Love Knot, I will be Faithful To the End

Located in Baltimore, MD

Rare, historic sixteenth century posy (or posey) ring. Posey rings were popular in France and England during the late middle ages until the 18th century and were given as gifts betw...

Category

Early 1600s English Tudor Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, 22k Gold

17th Century Stuart gold posy Band ring "Vertue passeth riches"
17th Century Stuart gold posy Band ring "Vertue passeth riches"

17th Century Stuart gold posy Band ring "Vertue passeth riches"

Located in London, GB

Further examples of this posy with various spellings are recorded- see Evans, J., 'English Posies and Posy Rings', 1931, p105; also see British Museum object numbers 1961,1202.366 an...

Category

17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Post Medieval fede ring with posy, circa 1650-1720
Post Medieval fede ring with posy, circa 1650-1720

Post Medieval fede ring with posy, circa 1650-1720

Located in London, GB

Tested yellow gold, approximately 1.67 grams in weight, circa 1650-1720. This is a rare posy, not featured in Dame Joan Evans' book 'English Posies and Posy Rings', 1931, which rema...

Category

17th Century Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c
Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c

Post Medieval memento mori ring, 'in god alone we too are one' circa 18th c

Located in London, GB

The inscription is unusual, one other example can be seen with this exact posy, but on a plain gold ring, the posy ring is held by the British Museum and published by Evans (1932:57,...

Category

17th Century Medieval Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

C1770 18K Posey Ring "Constant Am I Until I Die", size 9
C1770 18K Posey Ring "Constant Am I Until I Die", size 9

C1770 18K Posey Ring "Constant Am I Until I Die", size 9

Located in Baltimore, MD

18K posey (or posy) ring with the words ‘Constant am I until I die’ engraved on the inside band, bearing the maker's mark CH.

Category

1770s English Georgian Antique Posy Ring

Materials

18k Gold

Recent Sales

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring
Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Literature: “Posy rings,” their name deriving from the term poesie or poetry, are rings inscribed with mottos either in prose or verse.

Category

Late 17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring
Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring

Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Posy Ring ‘Vertue Gaineth Glory’ England, c. 1700 Gold Weight 2 gr.; circumference 46.68 mm.; US size 4; UK size H ½ Posy ring featuring floral decoration including daisies and tuli...

Category

Early 1700s English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring
Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Unlike black letters rings, posy rings included the inscription “always next to the finger, not to be seen of him that holdeth thee by the hand.”

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring
Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring

Antique English Gold Band Posy Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Posy ring, "A loving wife during life" England, mid-18th century Gold Weight 4.4 gr.; circumference: 55.76 mm.; US size 7.75; UK size P ½ “Posy rings,” their name deriving from the...

Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring
Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Antique English Gold Band 'Posy' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

The ring is in good condition. Posy rings, so called from the French word for poetry, are often engraved with rhymed mottos.

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique 18th Century Posy Ring "Love The Giver"
Antique 18th Century Posy Ring "Love The Giver"

Antique 18th Century Posy Ring "Love The Giver"

Located in Sale, Cheshire

A fantastic 18th century posy ring featuring the words "Love the Giver" inscribed on the inner band.

Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

18k Gold

Antique 18ct White Gold Diamond Posy Ring
Antique 18ct White Gold Diamond Posy Ring

Antique 18ct White Gold Diamond Posy Ring

Located in Splitter's Creek, NSW

A lovely traditional old 'Posy'Ring Finger size P & half Total Diamond weight 0.45 carats Total Item weight 4.25 grams

Category

1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18th Century Gold Posy Ring
18th Century Gold Posy Ring

18th Century Gold Posy Ring

Unavailable

H 0.01 in Dm 0.65 in

18th Century Gold Posy Ring

Located in London, GB

18th century solid gold posy ring of a very high grade of gold and a pale lemon colour.

Category

1750s English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

18th Century Gold Posy Ring "Let Virtue Be Thy Guide"
18th Century Gold Posy Ring "Let Virtue Be Thy Guide"

18th Century Gold Posy Ring "Let Virtue Be Thy Guide"

Located in Sale, Cheshire

A superb antique posy ring with the words "Let Virtue be thy guide" inscribed on the inner band.

Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

18k Gold

17th Century Gold Chased Posy Ring
17th Century Gold Chased Posy Ring

17th Century Gold Chased Posy Ring

Unavailable

H 0.01 in W 0.01 in D 0.01 in

17th Century Gold Chased Posy Ring

Located in London, GB

Delicate and very attractive 17th century chased posy ring of high grade gold. Maker's mark: R. circa 1650 The outside of the ring is chased with foliate scrolls.

Category

17th Century British Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

For a history of posy rings with extensive list of posies, see Evans, 1931 and Anon., A Garland of Love: A Collection of Posy-Ring Mottoes, London 1907.

Category

18th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Because the inscriptions or mottoes are known as posies, from poésie, French for poem, such bands are called posy rings.

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring
Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Antique Gold English "Posy" Band Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

For a list of posies found on rings, see: Evans, 1931 and Anon., A Garland of Love: A Collection of Posy-Ring Mottoes, London 1907.

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Gold English Band 'Posey' Ring
Antique Gold English Band 'Posey' Ring

Antique Gold English Band 'Posey' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Posy Ring, “A true friends gift” England (Plymouth ?)

Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring
Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring

Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

This posy is found frequently on rings (see Evans, 1931, p. 38).

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

17th-Century Gold Band Fede Ring with Heart
17th-Century Gold Band Fede Ring with Heart

17th-Century Gold Band Fede Ring with Heart

Located in Chicago, IL

‘Posy rings’, their name deriving from the term poésie or poetry, are rings with mottoes either in prose or verse.

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring
Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring

Antique English Gold Band 'Posey' Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Bands such as this one are called posy rings because the inscriptions or mottoes are known as “posies,” from the French word for poem – poésie.

Category

17th Century English Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold

French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring
French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring

French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring

By Golconda

Located in New York, NY

The inscription is old English from Posy rings of the 17th century. Made in NYC. *Please note the matching earrings in the photographs are sold separately.

Category

Late 17th Century American Renaissance Revival Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring
French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring

French-Cut Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Renaissance Revival Ring

By Golconda

Located in New York, NY

The inscription is old English from Posy rings of the 17th century. Made in NYC. *Please note the matching earrings in the photographs are sold separately.

Category

Late 17th Century American Renaissance Revival Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Neo-Gothic Gold Band Ring with inscription
Antique Neo-Gothic Gold Band Ring with inscription

Antique Neo-Gothic Gold Band Ring with inscription

Located in Chicago, IL

The Gothic lettering on the ring is reminiscent of both medieval manuscripts and jewelry, like ring brooches or posy rings with declarations of faith and love, often in combination.

Category

19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

18th Century Posy Ring in 18 Karat Gold
18th Century Posy Ring in 18 Karat Gold

18th Century Posy Ring in 18 Karat Gold

Located in Brisbane City, QLD

We are delighted to have our first 'posy ring' which we sourced locally in Brisbane.

Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

17th Century Engraved Gold Posy Ring, circa 1700
17th Century Engraved Gold Posy Ring, circa 1700

17th Century Engraved Gold Posy Ring, circa 1700

Located in London, GB

See Evans, J., 'English Posies and Posy Rings', 1931, for the fullest catalogue of posy mottos recorded.

Category

17th Century Unknown Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring
18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring

18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring

Located in Brisbane City, QLD

A wonderful antique posy ring set with a single Akoya pearl and nine old European cut diamonds.

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring
18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring

18 Karat Yellow & White Gold, Diamond & Pearl Posy Ring

Located in Brisbane City, QLD

A wonderful antique posy ring set with a single Akoya pearl and nine old European cut diamonds.

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Museum Quality Antique Gold Posy Ring "My Heart and Eye Until I Die"
Museum Quality Antique Gold Posy Ring "My Heart and Eye Until I Die"

Museum Quality Antique Gold Posy Ring "My Heart and Eye Until I Die"

Located in London, GB

Gold posy ring, 'MY HEART AND EYE UNTIL I DIE'. The D-shaped band engraved to the interior 'MY HEART AND EYE UNTIL I DIE' with pictograms for heart and eye, approximately 3.7mm in wi...

Category

Early 18th Century Georgian Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique English Posy Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold: Antique Wedding Band
Antique English Posy Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold: Antique Wedding Band

Antique English Posy Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold: Antique Wedding Band

Located in Fairfield, CT

An English posy ring, hailing from a bygone era, carries with it echos of romance and time-honored traditions.

Category

17th Century European Renaissance Antique Posy Ring

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Antique Posy Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the antique posy ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Yellow Gold and 18k Gold. Making the right choice when shopping for an antique posy ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 20th Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. While most can agree that any antique posy ring from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Diamond version from the 2 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for a cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old european cut and round cut alternatives. Most of our antique posy ring for sale are for women, but there are 35 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Antique Posy Ring?

The price for an antique posy ring starts at $195 and tops out at $91,194 with these rings, on average, selling for $4,224.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.