EUROPEAN BETROTHAL RING 16TH-17TH CENTURY SIZE 11 ½

During the Renaissance, the act of committing to marriage took place as a formal ceremony with vows, considered sacred and unbreakable, exchanged. A ring was given by the man to the woman to bind the pledge and worn until the marriage. That practice is believed to derive from the custom of providing a bride’s price or dowry. This example is size 11 1/2 with a circular bezel with a beaded surround, mounted with a red “stone” flanked by an arrangement of small bosses in foliage, on each side. With a surface textured from burial, but well preserved, it has been professionally refurbished with the 24karat gold surface restored and the “stone” replaced. Includes a jewelry gift box with a certificate of authenticity.