{"product_id":"late-17th-early-18th-century-gold-posy-ring-love-is-the-bond-of-peace","title":"Early 18th Century Gold Posy Ring","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eAn early gold posy ring, circa 1700, engraved inside in a flowing italic script \u003cem\u003e“Love is the bond of peace.”\u003c\/em\u003e Hidden within the band, the inscription would have been known only to the giver and wearer - the original form of a wedding or betrothal ring, and a personal token of love, loyalty, and remembrance.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe phrase \u003cem\u003e“Love is the bond of peace”\u003c\/em\u003e was a popular one in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, recorded in \u003cem\u003eLove’s Garland: or, Posies for Rings\u003c\/em\u003e (1674) and found on several surviving examples in museum collections. Rings bearing this same inscription are held in the British Museum (AF.1338 and AF.1339) and the London Museum (62.4\/80), as well as the Griffin Collection.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThis example is beautifully made, with a rounded D-shaped band and the maker’s mark \u003cem\u003eIW\u003c\/em\u003e stamped to the interior - the same mark recorded on other English posy rings of the period (British Museum: 1961,1202.195 and AF.1241). Crafted in rich, high-purity gold testing as 21K, it weighs a substantial 5.8 grams and measures 5 mm wide, giving it a solid and reassuring feel on the hand.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eCondition: some age-related wear and small dents to the surface, but very solid and entirely wearable - the gentle patina of 300 years of history.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK size M (US 6.25)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.8g\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tests as 21K\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cem\u003eA beautiful, early example of a true love token - the original wedding ring, carrying a private message of affection through centuries: “Love is the bond of peace.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48915175113012,"sku":"1017810158","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/0G2A6077.jpg?v=1760096621","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/products\/late-17th-early-18th-century-gold-posy-ring-love-is-the-bond-of-peace","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}