Paul Hardy Antiques

Description

This rare 22 or 24 carat gold posy ring is a fine example of early English jewellery, traditionally exchanged as a token of love, faith or fidelity. The smooth rounded D profile band is inscribed to the inner shank with a devotional message, reading “In Christ and thee my comfort be”, typical of 17th–18th century religious sentiments.
Posy rings were highly prized during the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian periods, their secret inscriptions offering a personal and symbolic connection between giver and wearer. Collectors of historic jewellery value such high carat gold rings for their craftsmanship, scarcity, and romantic associations. Each one is unique because the inscription is so personal.
This ring is a desirable piece for any serious period collector and for those interested in early English jewellery, inscriptions, and devotional objects given that the religious inscriptions tend to be rarer than romantic ones.

It is small English size of about H½, US equivalent 4, it has a diameter of 15mm and an inner circumference of about 47mm. It weighs more than 4g and the width of the band is 3.8mm and about 1.8mm deep.

The word Posy, or Poesy, comes from the word Poetry, referring to the short (and secret) inscriptions engraved inside.

Supplied in a ring box
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Overseas delivery charged at cost
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