Nice Tudor - Stuart Bronze Posy Ring "I LIKE MY CHOIS"

Code: 10711

This is a wonderful bronze posy ring, dating to the 16th - 17th century. the band is inscribed in Roman capitals "I LIKE MY CHOIS". The style of lettering gives us a date of late Tudor - early Stuart era. Oman (1974, pg 41) suggests that italic inscriptions generally replaced those of Roman capitals in the second quarter of the 17th century but are often found on Tudor examples from the 1550's - 1625. 

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.

OBJECT: POSY RING

CULTURE:  Stuart/Georgian

DATE: c. 1550 - 1625

MATERIAL: Bronze

RING SIZE:    8 3/4 (US)     R 1/4  (UK)

SIZE: 23mm x 6mm

WEIGHT:  4.8 grams

PROVENANCE:  Discovered near Eastbourne in Sussex