posy ring
- Museum number
- 2002,0501.1
- Description
-
Gold posy ring: exterior has remains of white enamel on geometric pattern, inscription and engraved flower inside with black enamel.
- Production date
- 16thC-17thC
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 19.90 millimetres
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Width: 3.90 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- The motto 'Prenes en gré' (accept with gratitude) dates back to the 15th century and is taken from a poem by the French poet, Christine de Pisan: ‘prenez en gré le don de votre amant’ ( accept with gratitude the gift of him who loves you) and this was a popular choice for betrothal or wedding gifts. It is found in the same abbreviated form on carved ivory mirror covers of the 15th century, see for example a mirror cover in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, depicting a courting couple with the man offering the woman a flower (see http://gothicivories.courtauld.ac.uk). The motto also gave its name to a dance for a couple holding hands, recorded in the Gresley manuscript of c. 1500.
See also SLMisc. 565, a boxwood and ivory comb.
- Location
- On display (G2/fc171)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2005-2006 25 Jul-13 Jan, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2005 12 Feb-26 Jun, Newcastle, Hancock Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004-2005 1 Oct-15 Jan, Manchester Museum, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2004 30 Apr-21 Sep, Cardiff, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2003-2004 21 Nov-14 Mar, London, BM, Buried Treasure: Finding Our Past
2014 Oct 14 - London, BM, G2, 'Collecting the World'
- Acquisition date
- 2002
- Acquisition notes
- Found by Michael Dobson while digging in his garden in Wilberfoss (near York). Paid for with money from an anonymous donor. (MME T432)
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 2002,0501.1
- Additional IDs
-
Treasure/PAS number: MMET432 (Treasure number)
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Treasure/PAS number: PAS-3785E3 (PAS Database Number)
