16th-18th century AD. A gold ring with D-section band, two slender c-section circumferential channels to top and bottom of external face, framing a foliate frieze with remains of niello inlay; Latin inscription to the inner face in seriffed capitals: '+ AMOR VINCET OMNIA' ('Love Conquers All'), the words separated by triangles composed of three dots. See Evans, J., English Posies and Posy Rings, OUP, London, 1931, p1. for this inscription and for multiple variations on the 'Amor Vincit' posie; cf. The British Museum, museum number 1961,1202.460, for a different ring with the same inscription and very similar lettering and punctuation, dated 16th-early 17th century AD.; cf. The Portable antiquities Scheme Database, id. YORYM-B0EB9B, for a very similar ring with the same posie, dated 1500-1700 AD; cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, id. GLO-55A844, for a very similar ring design, dated 1650-1740 AD. 3.34 grams, 18.61mm overall, 16.02mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9) (3/4"). From the Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK; acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. 'Amor Vincit Omnia' was perhaps the most popular 'stock' motto engraved onto posy rings bearing Latin inscriptions; it was the motto engraved on a brooch worn by the flirtatious Prioress in Chaucer's Prologue to the 'Canterbury Tales', penned around 1390 AD. ‘Posy’ is derived from ‘poesy’ or ‘poetry’. In the medieval period many rings bore posy inscriptions in Latin or French, the languages frequently spoken by the affluent elites. Later, inscriptions in English became more usual, although the lack of standardised spelling might surprise the modern reader. The inscription is generally found on the interior of the ring, hidden to everyone except the wearer and most of the sentimental mottoes were taken from the popular literature of the time. In fact, love inscriptions often repeat each other, which suggests that goldsmiths used stock phrases. In the later 16th century, ‘posy’ specifically meant a short inscription. A posy is described in contemporary literature as a short ‘epigram’ of less than one verse. George Puttenham (1589) explained that these phrases were not only inscribed on finger rings, but also applied to arms and trenchers. The practice of giving rings engraved with mottoes at betrothals or weddings was common in England from the 16th century onwards, and continued until the late 18th century. Sources suggest that rings could be acquired ready- engraved, or alternatively engraved sometime after their initial production, by a hand other than the goldsmith’s. Joan Evans assumed that posy rings were principally used by/between lovers and distinguished four contexts for the giving of posy rings by one lover to another: betrothals, weddings, St Valentine’s Day and occasions of mourning. Samuel Pepys’ diary makes clear that posy rings might also mark the marriage of a family member, when bearers could even commission their own rings and chose their own mottoes from books. The rings could also function as tokens of friendship or loyalty. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website] [No Reserve] Condition Report Fair condition.