Gold posy ring, 'God above increase our love'. A plain yellow gold D-shaped band, the interior engraved in italic script 'God above increase our love', approximately 3.5mm in width. Tested yellow gold, maker’s mark 'TP', late 18th century.
The maker's mark 'TP' is attributed to either Thomas Poynton or Thomas Pepper. See Grimwade, A. G., 'London Goldsmiths 1697-1837', p.631 and 619.
Thomas Poynton is recorded as being a Goldsmith working in London, no record of Freedom, maker's mark entered on 22nd August 1758 as a smallworker and mentioned in a Parliamentary report in 1773.
Thomas Pepper is recorded as being a Goldsmith working in London, no record of Freedom, maker's mark entered on 23rd February 1767 as a smallworker and mentioned in a Parliamentary report in 1773.
See British Museum acquisition number AF.1317 and Museum of London acquisition number 62.4/13 for posy rings with the same maker's mark. It is possible to see the goldsmith's distinct handwriting inscribed within these bands- the same handwriting as in this posy ring.
See Evans, J., 'English Posies and Posy Rings' p. 38 for similar posies and their sources.
