Medieval Gold Ring ‘to Live In Love Is My Life Ave Maria’, 13th Century.

A Medieval gold ring ‘To live in love is my life Ave Maria’.

English or French, 13th century.

Ring size N UK / 6.75 US / 54 EU.

Weighs 1.4cm.

The fine gold ring is engraved with the abbreviated latin ‘AMIE:EN:VVS:ES:MA:VIE:AVE-M+’, which translates as ‘To live in love is my life, Ave Maria’.

This ring is called a posy ring, a name that comes from the French word poésie (meaning poetry). Posy rings are simple bands engraved with mottos or phrases that convey messages of faith, remembrance, friendship, and love. Their romantic inscriptions suggest they were also used as wedding rings.

Two similar rings can be found on the portable antiquities database, unique ID: ESS-B9A945 and DUR-4301BA.

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1076663

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1039703