Details

LOT 0982

Medieval Gold Triple-Inscribed Posy Ring

15TH-16TH CENTURY AD

3/4" (11 grams, 21 mm overall, 18.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18.4, Japan 17)).

A thick flat-section hoop with vignettes to the exterior of the nimbate Christ with hand raised in benediction and Virgin and Child receiving a goblet from a kneeling supplicant, blackletter text between the scenes '+ mieu + mouri + qe + change + ma foy' (better to die than to change my faith); to the inner face in a similar hand '* ie done a voz mamour e soy pur/ense yne de loiaute' (I give to you my love and let it be a token of loyalty).

Provenance

From the important collection of Christian artefacts formed by a London gentleman, 1970s-1980s.

Literature

Cf. the 'Coventry Ring', found near the city wall of Coventry and now in the British Museum (accession number AF897) which shows images of the Five Wounds of Christ with blocks of blackletter text between. The text relates to the religious steadfastness, loyalty and piety of the wearer.

CONDITION