Jacobean gold posy ring "LOVE IS A VERTV"

Code: 10860

This is a delightful Jacobean gold posy ring, dating to the early 17th century. The inside of the band is incribed with "LOVE IS A VERTV". The style of lettering (block capitals) gives us a date of late Tudor - early Stuart (the period of Queen Elizabeth I and King James) See KENT-8BED3B for discussion of the type. Posy rings were given by men and women as an expression of love, worn as a wedding ring or as a means of showing regard and friendship; the inscription on this example indicates this may be a wedding band, and due to the size (internal diameter and width) was probably worn by a lady.  It is a nice and early example, in good excavated condition.

OBJECT: Posy Ring

CULTURE:  Jacobean (King James Ist period)

DATE: c. 1550 - 1650

MATERIAL: Gold

RING SIZE:    4 1/2  (US)     I 1/2  (UK)

SIZE: 17mm x 3mm

WEIGHT:  1.3 grams

PROVENANCE:  Ex-private collection, Essex.