Medieval silver-gilt posy ring "of a good heart"

Code: 11989

This is a wonderful and very rare medieval silver-gilt posy ring, inscribed outside the band with "de bon coer", for "of a good heart", inside the band inscribed "amor" for "Love". The style of lettering in blackletter script gives us a date of 1370 - 1500 A.D. Rings inscribed with a Gothic script or "black letter rings", such as this example, were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love prompting gifts or tokens as expressions of love. These rings are typically engraved with short inscriptions and floral designs around the exterior and filled with niello or enamel. 
The ring belongs to a group generally recognized as love rings due to their sentimental inscriptions. In the medieval period, they were usually known as "Reasons", but from 1430 (A.D.) they came to be called "Posies" (posey, or poetry) rings (Oman 1974, 39). Black Letter inscriptions appear from the mid 14^th century onwards, until the beginning of the 16^th century when Roman capitals become the more fashionable script. 

This is an exceptional example in excellent (and wearable) condition. By far the finest I have had the privilege to handle in 40 years!

OBJECT: Posy Ring

CULTURE:  Medieval

DATE: c. 1370 - 1500

MATERIAL: Silver-gilt (gold gilded silver)

RING SIZE:    8 1/2   (US)      Q 3/4  (UK)

SIZE: 23.03mm x 5.44mm x 2.08mm

WEIGHT:  6.05 grams

PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection Wiltshire, inherited by descent.