16th-early 17th century AD. A gold annular D-section fede band with bezel formed as two hands engaged in a handshake, emerging from decorative cuffed sleeves, medial line engraved around the hoop, with diagonal dashed recesses above and below, the top band leaning right, the bottom leaning left, remains of enamelling; the interior inscribed: ' x YOVRS + IN + HART x ' in Roman capitals. Cf. Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, London, 1931, p.111, for this inscription in italics, sourced in a book believedmonplace in c.1596; cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database id. SS-C86B41, for a ring with the same posie in the same script, dated c.1596-1650 AD; cf. The British Meum, meum number 1961,1202.411, for a similar style ring dated 16th-17th century. 1.48 grams, 17.31mm overall, 15.75mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, A 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6) (3/4"). UK antiques market between 1974-1985. From the Albert Ward collection (part 2), Essex, UK. 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 ual, 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 ed 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 wasmon 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 ed 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 evenmission their own rings and chose their own mottoes from books. The rings could also function as tokens of friend or loyalty. [No Reserve] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]