Rings of Resistance: "BELLA CIAO"
"One fine morning I woke up early, to find the fascist at my door..."
That fine morning was Wednesday, September 8th 1943. Operation Axis saw Germany invade the Italian peninsula in response to the overthrow of Benito Mussolini and Italy's subsequent armistice with the Allies.
"Oh, partigiano, please take me with you, I'm not afraid anymore..."
The Italian Resistance fighters, the partigiani, know the land but they are up against the Nazis and Italian fascists alike. They adopt the haunting melody of an old rice-field work song, Bella Ciao, as their song of resistance and freedom.
"And if I die, oh, partigiano, Bury me upon that mountain..."
It is those same mountains in early March where the mimosa flower blooms abundantly. During the Resistance, partisan women often used the bright yellow sprigs to deliver messages - concealed within.
"Bury me upon that mountain... Beneath the shadow of the flower"
In the immediate aftermath of the war, in 1946, Italian feminists Rita Montagnana and Teresa Mattei picked the mimosa, known for its resilience, to represent International Women's Day.
"Show all the people, the people passing... And say, 'oh, what a beautiful flower'"
Mimosa flowers are still exchanged, to this day, on March 8th. Sprigs of mimosa are gifted, by friends and family and shopkeepers and strangers, to friends and family and teachers and colleagues and strangers; in celebration and in solitarity and in remembrance.
"Bella ciao, bella ciao, goodbye beautiful
"This is the flower of the partisan, who died for freedom..."
Translation by Marc Ribot and Tom Waits (2018)
***
A Modern Posy Ring by Lost Owl. A ring that lived through all that, and more. Part of our Rings of Resistance collection of five Modern Posy Rings inspired by the last 500 years of resisting oppression.
Ring size: L 1/2 or 6 US
Width of band: 5.5mm
Weight: 4.1 grams
Hallmarks: English, Birmingham, 22ct Gold, 1912
Condition: Great antique condition
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
Shipping
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs now charges a 10% tariff on all UK shipments as they cross the border. We will pay this customs charge on your behalf. Import duties remain 0% on antiques.
[Last updated: 28th February 2026]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
Buying a Gift?
Leave a note at checkout and we'll include a handwritten note to the recipient. Just tell us what you'd like to say :)
More Questions?
Get in touch... There's a live chat at the bottom right of the page.
info@lostowl.com