Stuart gold posy ring "constancie is a noble vertue"

Code: 11253

This is a nice 17th-century gold posy ring, inscribed with "constancie is a noble vertue" (constancy is a noble virtue) in italic lettering. The sentiment on this ring reflects the concept of constancy as a noble virtue, something Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626) quoted when he referred to “Constancy is the foundation of virtues”. A posy ring with the same inscription, though notably the correct modern spelling of 'constancy', is held in the Spencer George Perceval Collection in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

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; due to the size (internal diameter and width), this example was probably worn by a lady.  

This ring was originally discovered with a metal detector in Thwing (East Riding of Yorkshire) and recorded as DUR-A5ECF6. The ring had severe post-depositional distortion when discovered, it has been expertly repaired by a jeweller and can still be worn again today!

OBJECT: Posy Ring

CULTURE: Stuart

DATE: c. 1620 - 1650 A.D.

MATERIAL: Gold 

RING SIZE:   5  (US)      J 1/2  (UK)

SIZE: 16.97mm x 2.26mm

WEIGHT: 0.86 grams

PROVENANCE: Originally found in East Riding of Yorkshire DUR-A5ECF6