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Heavy Antique 17th Century 22K Gold “As I Crave So Let Me Have” Posy Band Ring

$6,823.43
£4,980
€5,808.90
CA$9,346.39
A$10,395.23
CHF 5,428.07
MX$126,498.88
NOK 69,324.68
SEK 65,014.32
DKK 43,354.06
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About the Item

A 17th Century yellow gold ring, comprising a D-shaped band ring, inscribed with a posy, in 22K gold. My favourite thing about this Antique 22K Yellow Gold Poesy Ring is the beautiful inscription. What’s yours? Perhaps the buttery yellow gold? Or the smooth tactility? This 17th Century (1600s) posy, or poesy ring, deriving its name from the French ‘poésie’, meaning poem, because of the short messages engraved on the inside of the band. They were often used to communicate a secret message between lovers, or friends, or held a religious message. Rings such as this were popular from the 15th century to the 18th century (1400s to 1700s), with this example likely dating to the late 1600s. Posy rings were the forerunner to modern wedding rings. The posy on the inside of this ring reads, “+AS. I. CRAVE. SO. LET. ME. HAVE . . .” This is an unusual posy, with only one other recorded example known to contain the word ‘crave’. This ring was found by a detectorist in Essex, pre-1997. The band is a beautiful, warm, buttery yellow gold. It is wonderfully tactile and beautifully smooth from age and wear, a patina that only comes from hundreds of years of love. The band is chunky, domed and is beautifully tactile. The ring is in very good condition for its age, and appears to have been resized between the start and end of the inscription, but the work has been done well (seen under magnification). Wear and tear acquiescent with age. The ring measures 5mm wide and rises 2.2mm off the finger. Ring size: due to the width of the band this ring fits like a size UK M.5 US – 6.5 EU – 53 mm (actual size UK – P US – 7.75 EU – 56.25 mm) Gross weight: 9.88g Hallmarks: none, tests as approximately 22 karat gold, circa 1600s
  • Ring Size:
    6.5 US, Resizable
  • Metal:
  • Weight:
    9.88 g
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    C. 1600s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: REF13951stDibs: LU4056224178522

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