'The Chinnor' Medieval Gold 'None So Well' Decorated Posy Ring
Circa 1400-1500 A.D. A gold posy ring composed of a waisted band with pearled and raised upper and lower borders, each decorated with a circumferential ring of pellets, the central section engraved with a blackletter French inscription: 'nul ce bien' ('none so well'), each word separated by sunbursts and flowers; plain interior. Cf. The V&A Museum, accession number M.219-1962, for a very similar 15th century ring; cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, record ids. PAS-A36D2D and NARC-394C24, for similar ring types of this dates and BERK-1893D5 for a similar ring and inscription; cf. Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, 1931, p.12, for this inscription in black letter. Published on the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, record id. OXON-FF9F8E. 1.83 grams, 18.11 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9) (3/4 in.). Found whilst searching with a metal detector by Kevin Ford on 25th January 2020 in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, UK.Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme Report (PAS) number OXON-FF9F8E.Accompanied by a letter to HM Coroner for Oxfordshire from the Treasure Registrar at the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring with treasure reference number 2020 T76.Accompanied by a letter from the finder detailing the circumstances of the find. French Gothic blackletter inscriptions on finger rings were associated with the culture of chivalry and courtly love; a historic example of gifts and tokens as expressions of love. Some scholars note that black letter inscriptions are prevalent on love rings between the 13th-15th centuries. Although such rings could be both English and French in origin, it is believed that most were English, with French inscriptions. Note that the PAS offers a different interpretation of the inscription on this ring. A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]