Georgian double fede ring

A substantial high carat gold double fede ring, circa 1820. The decorative device of two hands clasped in love and trust was found all over Europe. This type of love token ring was commonly known as a ‘fede’ (faith) ring. The expression fede or mani in fede is taken from the Italian, meaning ‘hands clasped in trust’. Among the definitions of ‘fede’ in John Florio’s 1611 Dictionarie of the Italian and English Tongues is ‘a ring made with hand in hand’. The term ‘hand in hand’ was common in 16th and 17th century England. This fede ring depicts clasped hands on the outer bands between elliptical bands. It is size R and 1/2 [US 8 and 7/8] and the hoop is 2/3 of an inch wide. It weighs a substantial 18 grams. An unusual example of a fede and immaculate.

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