18th Century - Gold Inscribed Posy Ring - 'Hurt not that (heart) whoes Joy thou art' > Lot No. 894

Description:
Circa 18th century AD. A gold finger ring with a legend inscribed around the interior in an italic hand: ‘Hurt not that [heart] whoes Joy thou art’, the word ‘heart’ represented by a heart-shaped ideogram, and the ‘s’ of ‘whoes’ in its long form.

Measurements:
4.51 grams, 21.77 mm, internal 19.20 mm (UK size S; USA size 9.5; EU size 20.38; Japan size 19.5).

Condition:
Extremely fine condition, a large wearable example with beautiful inscription and finely executed script.

References:
Cf. Joan Evans, English Posies and Posy Rings, Oxford, 1931 p.48 example from Sullington, Sussex.

Provenance:
Found Norfolk.

Estimate: £600 - 800 (EUR 720 - 960; USD 950 - 1,270)

Auction date: Thursday 9th September 2010 at The Swedenborg Hall 20-21 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2TH

Sold for: £2,500