Posy rings take their name from the French poésie, or poetry. They became especially popular in Britain from the 16th through 18th centuries as tokens of love, fidelity, and friendship. Often given at a betrothal or wedding, they were a predecessor to the gold wedding rings we know today, but a lot more intimate, IMO. Inside this simple 18th-century gold band is engraved “Let vertue be a guide to the.” The spelling “vertue” and "the" for "thee" is a cute reminder that English spelling was still becoming standardized in this period; variant and old-fashioned spellings lingered into the 18th century, particularly in short inscriptions like these.
thedetails
- Materials
22k gold (tests)
- Age
c. 1700
- Condition
Good - surface wear commensurate with age and use; mark on the band from a previous resizing or repair which has partially obscured the maker’s mark
- Size
7.25, resizing not recommended; 2.6mm shank
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Aboutthe
StuartEra
1603 — 1714
A new era dawned when Queen Elizabeth — the last Tudor monarch — died without an heir. The monarchy was temporarily displaced by the Commonwealth of England from 1649 to 1660 by Oliver Cromwell, but was restored — aka "The Restoration" — as Charles II was invited to take the throne. His father, Charles I, had been beheaded in 1649, and most of the jewelry we see from this period was at least stylistically related to this controversial political event. During this time, discoveries and innovations transformed England and Scotland, which were conjoined after a long period of feuding. Coffee became a new trendy beverage, with 600 coffeehouses in London all catering to a different type of clientele. This imported novelty beverage was possible because of the UK's rapidly expanding worldwide trade network. Not yet interested in acquiring territories, the island nation focused instead on making a fortune exporting wool and importing goods like slaves, sugar, and tea. Everyone (except the enslaved people, of course) benefited from the new merchant class that arose, and in the process the Royal Navy became the most powerful in the world. The look of London changed, too — after the Great Fire of 1666, Christopher Wren was hired to rebuild the city's damaged churches, with his greatest accomplishment being St. Paul's Cathedral.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.




