18th Century Gold Fede Ring

Yellow gold featuring two intertwined rings, each topped by a hand, meeting in the closed position. One ring is set with a rose-cut diamond. Probably 18th-century Anglican work. Fin...

Medieval sapphire fede ring. Centrally set with one oval cabochon natural unenhanced sapphire in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 3.00 carats, to a smooth ...

Crafted of solid 18K buttery gold, the ring features the enduring symbol of love, friendship and partnership - two clasped hands. (Fede rings go back to the 3rd and 4th century and b...

A rare, beautiful and magical Stuart Crystal Ring set in 15 Kt gold and backed in sterling silver. Before I say more please understand that none of...

An unusual and gorgeous 18th century Italian cluster ring, probably c. 1720-60, the enormous paisley heart shaped ring face set with round turquoise in a triple layered cluster forma...

Fede Ring with Heart England, 17th century Gold, enamel Weight 1.88 gr.; circumference 44.77mm.; US size 3,1/4; UK size F 3/4 Elaborately decorated posy ring, with messages of love and affection. Gold band, flat on the interior, chased and engraved on the exterior with alternating hearts and rosette motifs. The centerpiece shows two cuffed right hands clasped together holding a heart. Inscribed inside the band in italic script: ‘For love not valer’. Traces of enamel have survived. The ring shows signs of wear through age and is in good wearable condition. The maker’s mark in rectangular punch inside the hoop has the initials ‘SW’, slightly indistinct due to the punch within the curvature of the hoop. Literature: Messages of romantic love on jewelry, and mottoes or inscriptions on plain gold bands go back to the Middle Ages. Beginning in the thirteenth century, ring brooches and rings were given as love tokens and the language of love was expressed in words and amatory motifs. Each element of this ring expresses love and affection, as well as the union of marriage. The clasped hands or ‘mani in fede’ (Italian term for hands in faith), is a motif derived from the Roman ritual of the joining of the right hands during the betrothal ceremony known as dextrarum iunctio. The right hand was considered to be sacred to Fides, the goddess of trust and good faith. The clasped hands as a symbol of love and marriage has continued in both the ceremony and rings through the centuries, even today. The alternating hearts and rosettes underline the love message concealed inside the hoop ‘For love not valer’, only to be known by the giver and recipient. The posy declares that the bond of love is more important than wealth. This fede ring is also a highly elaborate form of posy ring, which are usually simple gold bands with inscription...