Modern Posy Ring "She Was Transformed"
Mutata ab Illa, 'transformed from how she was'. A powerful spell of rebirth and transformation engraved inside the band to be worn against the skin. The words, in black letter script, are mirrored by two potent symbols outside the band: the crescent moon (for the feminine) and a dragonfly (adopted by Art Nouveau era designers at the turn of the 20th century to represent women's liberation; the transformation of the self, a metamorphosis, and the feminine mystery).
A Modern Posy Ring by Lost Owl.
Inspired by a 17th century posy ring currently in the British Museum*, the words are related to Virgil from The Aeneid (Book II, 274) 'Hei mihi, qualis erat! Quantum mutates ab illo Hectore, qui redit, exuvias inductus Achilli […]’ (Ah, how he looked! How changed he was from that Hector who returned wearing Achilles’s armour). Our text, however, is in the feminine, translating literally as "Transformed from that [female] one", i.e. previous version of herself.
The line would have been well known to any 17th century scholar with an education in Latin, indeed it was often quoted or adapted in contemporary literature of the period.
Dr Mac Góráin advises: ‘R. G. Austin in his Oxford 1964 commentary points out that the phrase is adapted by Ovid (Met. 6.273), Statius (Theb. 7.706), Valerius Flaccus (4.398), and Milton PL 1’. Paradise Lost (1667, 1.84-7) may be of particular significance in respect of this ring: Satan addresses Beelzebub as follows:
"If thou beest he; but O how fall’n, how changed
From him, who in the happy realms of light
Clothed with transcendent brightness didst outshine
Myriads though bright." **
***
Ring size: M 1/2 or 6.5 US. Resize for £110
Width of band: 3.6mm
Weight: 2.5 grams
Hallmarks: English, Birmingham, 22ct gold, 1963
Condition: Great vintage condition with fine patina
* Museum number: 2022,8009.1
** Source
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 charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
threats of a new 10% Greenland Tariff have been mentioned. We'll see how this plays out and update in due course.
[Last updated: January 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.
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info@lostowl.com