Details

LOT 761

Medieval Gold 'DIEU PLERRA QANT MEUIZ SERRA' Love Posy Pendant

(Gold, 3.83 grams, 20.26 mm tall.).

Circa 15th century AD. A gold posy pendant of open rectangular form with a suspension ring, with the mediaeval French inscription continuing over both sides DIEU PLERRA QANT MEUIZ SERRA (a variant of 'When God pleases we will be one') in black letter script, together with engraved ivy and foliage as stops and ornament.

Provenance

Found Stagsden, Bedfordshire, 2008. Disclaimed under Treasure Act reference 2008 T660 and accompanied by the relevant British Museum and Coroner documents.

Footnotes

The appearance of amatory sentiments on posy rings, and occasionally on brooches, is very well known but pendants of this character are extremely rare. The use of ivy within the design is symbolically linked with steadfastness and love. A variant of this inscription is known from a gold posy ring of contemporary date in the British Museum collection (Dalton 981).

CONDITION