Gold, 3.17 grams; 18.22 mm; internal 15.85 mm [UK size K; US size 5.5]. An interesting 16th century decorated finger ring, with a double engraved line either side of the band. Rich yellow golden colour with no markers mark. A good example in a very fine wearable condition. From an old private collection.

In the Middle Ages it was often that a woman was 'kidnapped' by her groom. A single woman was a very valuable asset to her family - to do the work and work the soil - so many families were reluctant to let their single daughters leave the family to get married. A family having lost their very valuable labour asset of a daughter would then demand a 'payment' from the groom to be - this payment was to compensate for the employment of another to do the work previously carried out by the daughter. A time period was arranged for the man to pay for his bride (now days referred to as the 'Engagement') and in the Middle Ages gold rings were used as currency - so a gold ring was given to the family in payment for the bride and is the reason why a gold ring is now placed on the third finger of the left hand. The unbroken circle of gold is also an age old symbol of 'Eternity'.