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C1690 22K Posey Hoop Ring with motto “A Frende's Gifte"
$4,800
£3,570.39
€4,180.22
CA$6,697.63
A$7,494.84
CHF 3,913.45
MX$92,141.21
NOK 49,372.70
SEK 46,459.47
DKK 31,187.64
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About the Item
Beautiful 17th century posey ring with the engraving "A Frende's Gifte" engraved in an early form of Middle English. This posey (poem) conveys a message of affection between giver and recipient. Posey rings were popular in both France and England between the 1400's and 1700's and were often gifts between lovers. It is thought that these extra e's at the end of the word "frende" and "gifte" were added because the engraver was paid by the letter.
Sir John Evans had a posey ring w/this inscription including the identical spelling of “frende” and “gifte” in his collection, it is quite possible we that is where the ring came from. The motto “A Friends Gift” is also inscribed on a posey ring that is featured on the back of the book jacket, ENGLISH POSIES AND POSY RINGS” (shown below in images) a copy of Joan Evan’s out of print book reproduced with permission by Wartski. All information is from this book.
The name “posey” derives from the French word “poésie”. and references the concise sayings engraved on the inside band (so the message was seen known to the couple). Goldsmiths maintained published collections in their libraries from which their customers could custom choose the inscriptions, which is why the same inscriptions can often be found on different posey rings.
Posey rings from before 1775 are always 22 carat because gold jewelry in England was required to be 22 carat between 1575 and 1798. 17th century posy rings have the characteristic hand engraving in Roman capitals and italicized letters on the inside of the ring, seen only by the wearer.
Posey rings went out of fashion towards the end of the 18th century.
This ring is can be enlarged or made smaller because there is a large gap with no lettering on the inside of the ring. The ring is a beautiful deep yellow gold color only seen in high carat golds.
If you are seeking a rich yellow gold hoop to wear as a wedding band with a provenance and antique value, do consider this rare high carat gold hoop made completely by the hand of a 17th century goldsmith. “A Frende’s gifte” has a provenance and intrinsic beauty with its deep yellow gold color and the flourishes in the inscription (the f and t in gift were crossed with one only one line, so the engraver did not have to lift his engraving tool and the other letters have charming little flourishes) all add charm and whimsy to this special hoop ring.
5.75 grams in weight.
Resizing is available.
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