Posy ring

ID:

A24240

Production date:

Late Medieval; 15th century

Location:

In Store

A gold posy ring of flat section, engraved externally with flowers and leaves (retaining traces of white and red enamel) and inscribed in black letter 'en bon an' ('a good year'). There are no marks.
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A gold posy ring of flat section, engraved externally with flowers and leaves (retaining traces of white and red enamel) and inscribed in black letter 'en bon an' ('a good year'). There are no marks.

For other New Year rings, see, for example, Oman, 1930a. no 484; Taylor & Scarisbrick, 1978, no. 388; Bury, 1982, 183, no 28 and 186, nos 2, 10 and 16; Dalton, 1912, nos 527, 746, 940, 941; see also cat nos 74-5 above. Tehse rings may have been given as gifts to sweethearts. A poem of c.1530 reads: 'Iuellis pricious cane y non fynde...To sende you, my Souerein, this newe yeres morowe, Where-for, [for] lucke and good hansell, My herte y sende you. [I cannot find precious jewels to send you, my sovereing, this New Year's morning, therefore, for luck and good gratuity I send you my heart.] (Furnivall, 1903, page 66). < Hide

Measurements

DM 17 mm; WT 1.1 g

Materials

gold; enamel

Last Updated

2024-03-26