Silver, 1.38 grams, 19.44 mm ext.dia. 15th century AD. The fede or 'clasped hands' motif has been used as a symbol of fidelity and matrimonal union since late Roman times in Europe, but was popularised in the 12th century and remained in common use until the 17th. The present example is very narrow (5 mm at the bezel, 1.5mm on the band) and finely made. It has the fede for its bezel, flanked by two ribbed cuffs. The rest of the band is plain apart from a fine incised median line and the internal face of the bezel features the other sides of the clasping hands. Reference: Oman. C. British Rings 800-1914, London, 1974, pl.54. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection formed before 1950.