posy ring
- Museum number
- AF.1258
- Description
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Very thin gold posy ring with inscription and maker's mark.
- Production date
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1714-1736 (known active dates of John Montgomery ; died by 1750.)
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1711-1720 (known active dates of Joseph Mumford ; date of death unrecorded)
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 0.77 inches
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
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.According to the Braybrooke catalogue 'A plain & slight gold ring, with this posy inside the hoop, "God's devine Hath made thee mine'. Presented to me by A. Way Esq., of Wonham Manor, near which place it was obtained, April, 1859.'
Wonham should be spelled Wanham according to the Thesaurus.
A. Way Esq is Albert Way of the Archaeological Institute who was the source of many of the rings in the Braybrooke collection and a mentor of Franks.
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Maker's mark information from Anthony Dove March 2008:
This could be the mark of John Montgomery. (see Arthur G Grimwade, 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837', London, 1990. page 598 mark no. 1505).
Another possible maker could be Joseph Mumford (see Arthur G Grimwade, 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837', London, 1990. page 603 mark no. 1502. For further biographical details see ring no.1961,1202.255 (Evans gift) which has a similar mark.
See rings no.1961,1202.255 and 1961,1202.433 (Evans gift) for similar marks.
Also rings in the Museum of London (Evans gift) refs.62.4/23, 62.4/112, 62.4/120, 62.4/136 and 62.4/167 for similar marks.
In 1697 all goldsmiths were required to re-register their marks as the first two letters of their surname until 1720. This was intended to be used in conjunction with items of silver as the standard for wrought silver had been raised from .925 to .9584. Gold was not affected by this and it is possible that the old style marks may stll have been used
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good.
- Acquisition date
- 1897
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- AF.1258