A DIAMOND-SET GOLD STIRRUP RING, EARLY 14TH CENTURY

A DIAMOND-SET GOLD STIRRUP RING, EARLY 14TH CENTURY, the octahedral diamond crystal is rub-over set and engraved to the inner shank, in Lombardic script and slightly obscure 'IE SVI CI EN LIV D'AMI' roughly translating to 'I am here instead of a lover', originally a fedé ring with the remnants of clasped hands to the rear section and possibly a betrothal ring, size P

Cf. for similar Lombardic romantic posy inscriptions, see Joan Evans, English Posies and Posy Rings, p.3.

Cf. for a comparable early 14th century diamond set Fede ring with similar posy, see The British Museum object number 1857,0928.1