Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A late 16th/early 17th century gold posy ring, the D-shaped band inscribed to the interior in Roman capitals ‘rather.deathe.then.false.of.favthe’, the ‘TH’ conjoined, the exterior decorated with four figures-of-eight each containing a floral motif, possibly an extended fleur-de-lis, ring size N. £800-£1,000

This ring was discovered by a metal detectorist near Wendlebury, Oxfordshire in 2019. It has been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database Ref: BUC-786085 and disclaimed as Treasure Ref: 2019 T1188.

The inscription is recorded on a British Museum Harleian manuscript dated approximately 1596, and an example of the same posy can be found in the Sir John Evans’s Collection.

Literature:
Joan Evans: English Posies and Posy Rings, ACC. 2012