Rights Holder: Buckinghamshire County Council
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Unique ID: BUC-068008
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
A post medieval, gold posy ring with d-shaped hoop, which is slightly out-of-shape but remains intact. Inscribed to the inside 'x BE x FAITHFUL'. There are very small traces of black enamel within the lettering. The style of the lettering is consistent with other rings of this date.
The motto is recorded in Joan Evans, English Posies and Posy Rings (1931), p.25, although the inscription is in lower-case italics and there is only a single 'l' to the end of 'faithful'. One ring within the British Museum's collection has a similar inscription but this reads 'Be.faithfull.and.louing'. Posy rings were popular love-tokens. They were inscribed on the inside, so the message remained secret to all but the wearer and giver. The precious metal content of the ring fulfils the requirements of the Treasure Act in that it is greater than 10%. from the report produced by N. Awais-Dean of the British Museum
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Inscription:
x BE x FAITHFUL
Current location of find: Bucks County Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2007T436
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1600
Date to: AD 1700
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2 mm
Diameter: 15 mm
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Treasure case number: 2007T436
Museum accession number: AYBCM 2008.112.1
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.