Tudor Period Bronze Ring with Birds on Nest

Rectangular in plan with crescent profile, flat base and rim. 1.5 kg, 17.5 cm



Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.

Composed of a gently carinated hoop, the interior inscribed in cursive script 'Love is the bond of pease'. 7.81 grams, 22.97 mm overall, 18.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector on 28th March 2022 Mr Graham Higgins, near Hatford, Oxfordshire, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the report for HM Coroner by the Finds Liason Officer (FLO) for the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) for Oxfordshire under Treasure reference number OXON-FC03F7. Accompanied by a copy of the letter from HM Senior Coroner for Oxfordshire disclaiming the Crown's interest in the find.

In the medieval period many rings bore posy inscriptions in Latin or French, the languages frequently spoken by the affluent elites. Later, inscriptions in English became more usual, although the lack of standardisation in spelling might surprise the modern reader. The inscription is generally found on the interior of the ring, hidden to everyone except the wearer and most of the sentimental mottoes were taken from the popular literature of the time. In fact, love inscriptions often repeat each other, which suggests that goldsmiths used stock phrases. In the later 16th century, ‘posy’ specifically meant a short inscription. A posy is described in contemporary literature as a short ‘epigram’ of less than one verse. George Puttenham (1589) explained that these phrases were not only inscribed on finger rings, but also applied to arms and trenchers. The practice of giving rings engraved with mottoes at betrothals or weddings was common in England from the 16th century onwards, and continued until the late 18th century. Sources suggest that rings could be acquired ready- engraved, or alternatively engraved sometime after their initial production, by a hand other than the goldsmith’s. Joan Evans assumed that posy rings were principally used by/between lovers and distinguished four contexts for the giving of posy rings by one lover to another: betrothals, weddings, St Valentine’s Day and occasions of mourning. Samuel Pepys’ diary makes clear that posy rings might also mark the marriage of a family member, when bearers could even commission their own rings and chose their own mottoes from books. The rings could also function as tokens of friendship or loyalty.

Formed using mauve-coloured glaze for the cage and yellow for the bird; chipped. 1.4 kg total, 13 x 13 cm each



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.