16th-early 17th century AD. A gold D-section annular band bearing three circumferential rows of shallow square cells on the external face, probably once enamelled, the inner face inscribed in Latin: 'VIVE + VT + VIVAS ' in Roman capitals, meaning 'live that you may live', given to convey the sentiment 'live life to the full', followed by a slender sprig. Cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, id. KENT-1F5049, for this inscription, dated 1550-1625 AD; cf. The British Meum, meum number AF.1337, for this ring type, dated 16th century AD. 1.76 grams, 17.47mm overall, 15.30mm 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 .]