A large seventeenth century English Posy ring,

yellow gold, plain to the exterior, the interior engraved in
an idiosyncratic italicised script:

‘Love I lyke thee - sweet requite me'

the message is preceded by a star and followed by the
initials 'EH' in crosshatched capitals

Circa 1650.

Gauge: 4 mm
English Finger size: U
US Finger size: 10

Posy rings derive their name from the word "posy" or "Poesy" - a derivative
of poetry meaning short rhyme. The rings were popular from the late medieval
period onwards and were used to communicate secret messages
of love between the giver and the recipient.

This inscription is previously recorded once in English Posies and Posy Rings,
by Dame Joan Evans, ( London, 1931), page 73. Evans sources it from a
Commonplace Book of 1633