Jacobean Bronze Posy Ring "I LIVE IN LOVE"

Code: 10362

This is an excavated Jacobean bronze posy ring, dating to the early 17th century. the band is inscribed "I LIVE IN LOVE". The style of lettering (in Roman Capital's) gives us a date of late Tudor - early Stuart (the period of King James). The gilding has worn off on this example, originally in silver or gold. A nice period ring in excavated condition. 

The practice of giving rings engraved with mottoes at betrothals or weddings was common in England from the sixteenth century and continued until the late eighteenth century. Posy rings could, however, be given on many other occasions as a token of friendship or loyalty. Posy rings could also contain religious and memorial inscriptions. The inscription is generally found on the interior of the ring, hidden to everyone except the wearer and most of the sentimental mottoes were taken from the popular literature of the time.

A posy ring inscribed with the same sentiment has been recorded from Berkshire BERK-ECAB87, 

OBJECT: POSY RING

CULTURE:  JACOBEAN (King James Ist - King Charles Ist period)

DATE: c. 1600 - 1650

MATERIAL: Bronze

RING SIZE:    8   (US)     Q    (UK)

SIZE: 21.91mm x 5.66mm

WEIGHT:  3 grams

PROVENANCE:  Discovered near Langport, Somerset.