YORYM-C2732F: Post-Medieval : Posy Ring

Rights Holder: York Museums Trust
CC License:


Image use policy

Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).

FINGER RING

Unique ID: YORYM-C2732F

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published Find published

TREASURE CASE : 2016 T208.

A complete gold posy ring of post-medieval date. The posy ring is circular in plan with a D-shaped section. A join mark is evident on the hoop and the exterior surface is undecorated. The interior surface of the ring is inscribed with capitalised text reading "I. LYKE . MI . CHOVS . TO . WEL . TO . CHANG". No makers mark is present.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 23.9mm; Width: 5.4mm; Thickness: 1.8mm; Weight: 9.26g.

Discussion:

The practice of giving rings engraved with mottoes at betrothals or weddings was common in England from the sixteenth century onwards, and continued until the late eighteenth century. Posy rings could, however be given on many other occasions as a token of friendship or loyalty. They could also contain religious and memorial inscriptions.

A posy ring with a similar inscription though in a different style of text is recorded on the British Museum database, registration number: 1961,1202.31 and is dated to the 17th to 18th century. The capital letters on the subject ring suggest an earlier date.

Conclusion:

In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Inscription: I. LYKE . MI . CHOVS . TO . WEL . TO . CHANG

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure

Treasure details

Treasure case tracking number: 2016T208

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Width: 5.4 mm
Thickness: 1.8 mm
Weight: 9.26 g
Diameter: 23.9 mm

Personal details

This information is restricted for your access level.

Other reference numbers

Other reference: YMT : E04750
Treasure case number: 2016T208

Materials and construction

Primary material: Gold
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: East Riding of Yorkshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Brantingham

Spatial coordinates


Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

No references cited so far.

Similar objects

Find number: YORYM-D4B83C
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
TREASURE CASE : 2017 T502 Description: A complete gold posy ring of post-medieval date, c.AD 1600 - 1700. The posy ring is circular in plan …
Workflow: PublishedFind published

Find number: YORYM-FB19DC
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
TREASURE CASE : 2017 T538 Description: A complete though distorted gold posy ring of Post-Medieval date, c.1600 - 1700. The posy ri…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

Find number: YORYM-B31240
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
TREASURE CASE : 2023 T1129. Description:  A complete gold posy finger ring of Post-Medieval date, c. AD 1550 – 1725. The ri…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: YORYM
Created: 8 years ago
Updated: 12 months ago

Other formats: this page is available as qrcode json xml geojson pdf rdf representations.