Jacobean silver-gilt posy ring "BE LOYEL IN LOVE"

Code: 11803

This is a nice example of a Jacobean silver-gilt posy ring, dating to the early 17th century. The ring is inscribed "BE LOYEL IN LOVE" misspelt for "BE LOYAL IN LOVE". A variant of this inscription can be found on another two posy rings recorded LON-E7CFC6 from London and SUR-22EB62 from Surrey. This example bears no traces of a makers mark, but the style of lettering in capitals generally dates to the late 16th - early 17th century (being replaced by italic script). Inside the band is a trace of enlargement, the gold gilding is mostly worn but retained inside the inscription. A wonderful and wearable historic ring from a collector in the USA.

OBJECT: POSY RING

CULTURE:  Jacobean

DATE: c. 1580 - 1630

MATERIAL: Silver-gilt

RING SIZE:    8  (US)     Q   (UK)

SIZE: 20.72mm x 4.94mm

WEIGHT:  2.89 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection, New York. USA.