17th Century Wedding Rings

Post Medieval fede ring with posy, circa 1650-1720. A yellow gold fede ring, finely carved to centre with a pair of clasping hands, set above with a hear...

POSY RING “BE TRUE TO ME AS I TO THEE” England, 17th century Gold Weight: 1.9 gr.; circumference: 57.6 mm.; size: US 8.25, UK Q Fine D-sectioned hoop. Engr...

Gemstone Type : Rubellite Tourmaline Weight : 7.45 Carats Dimensions : 12.1x11.4x7.8 Mm Origin : Afghanistan Clarity : SI Shape: Cushion Color: Hot Pink Certificate: On Demand Rube...

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...

Post Medieval gold puzzle ring. A gold puzzle ring consisting of three interlinked hooped sections featuring a twist to top, the three sections can be...

POSY RING “I HAVE OBTAINED WHOME GOD ORDAIND” England, 17th century Gold Circumference 58 mm.; weight 7.9 gr.; US size 8/8 ½ ; UK size Q ½ The plain hoop, flat on the interior and r...

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...

POSY RING “GOD ABOVE INCREASE OUR LOVE” England, 17th century Gold Circumference 57.8 mm.; weight 4.3 gr.; US size 8 ½; UK size Q 1/2 The rounded hoop, flat on its perimeters, is en...

POSY RING “PIETY IS THE BEST MONUMENT” England, 17th century Gold Weight: 1.5 g.; circumference: 60.1 mm.; size: US 9.25, UK S Fine, irregular, D-section ho...

POSY RING “LET UARTU BE GIDE TO THE” England, 17th Century Gold Weight 3.1g; circumference: 60.1mm ; size: US 9.25, UK S Medium hoop, with rounded exterior and flat interior. Italic inscription reads: “Let uartu be gide to the.” A maker’s mark, CB (or LB?) app...