A Medieval gold and garnet posy ring, 13th century, the hexagonal pie-dish bezel centred...

A Medieval gold and garnet posy ring, 13th century, the hexagonal pie-dish bezel centred with a pointed cabochon garnet, between stepped shoulders, closed back setting, the exterior of the band engraved in Lombardic script, ‘+ AMOR. MEVS. AMP: QUAM. VERB: EST’, translating from the Latin as ‘My love is more (than) words’, band width 2mm, weight 3.8gm, ring size N. £3,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Purchased from Walton Farm Museum in the early 1990s. This is an uncommon type of Medieval ring, combining a gem-set ‘pie-dish’ bezel with an inscribed love posy (or chanson). For a similar ring, see: Oman, C., British Rings, 800-1914, plate 56, B and C. “Both documents and extant art objets attest to the widespread exchange of jewelery [...] as a symbol of love, especially in the Gothic era. Brooches and pendants are relatively common survivals from medieval France and England. [....Some bearing] amorous inscriptions, ‘with all my heart’, ‘yours forever’, ‘love conquers all’ and so forth’.” Hindman, S.: Towards an Art History of Medieval Rings, 2014, p146. Condition Report Very good condition, small nick to the surface of the garnet and general surface wear to the stone. The mount also shows general surface wear, particularly the bezel. The inscription starts at the back of the band with the bezel between ‘amp’ and ‘quam’. Lettering mostly clear, the last T of EST is a little worn. Weight 3.8gm.