Posy (or poesy) rings derive their name from the Old French word poésie, which means "poetry" or a short poem. They were popular in Shakespeare's time. Hamlet mentions them:
Hamlet: “Is this a prologue, or the posy of a ring?”
Ophelia: “’Tis brief, my lord.”
Hamlet: “As woman’s love.”
Because the inscription was on the inside of the band, posy rings carried a sentiment that was intimate - a secret between the giver and the wearer. It's said that people believed the words could penetrate the skin through physical contact. SEXY!
The message was often engraved in Old or Middle English, French, or Latin. Posies were usually exchanged as betrothal rings, and this surviving treasure from around 1780 would make a hell of a wedding band today. Was "In Unity Let's Live and Die" meant to rhyme?
thedetails
- Materials
22k gold (tests)
- Age
c. 1780
- Condition
Very good - surface wear commensurate with age and use; engraving is faint in places but still legible
- Size
8, resizing not recommended; 3.1mm shank
Need more photos?
Send us an email to request photos of this piece on a model.

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.



