Gold ring gifted by Oscar Wilde to William Ward, 1876 (photo)

It is an 18-carat gold band, which is shaped like a belt and buckle. The friendship ring was given as a joint gift to William Ward in 1876 by Oscar and another friend, Reginald Harding. On the outside, it bears an inscription in Greek which reads ‘Gift of love, to one who wishes love’, and on the inside, the initials of Oscar, Reginald and William, ‘OFOFWW + RRH to WWW’. (Wilde’s full name: Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde.) Oscar mentions the ring to William in a letter held in the College archive. He writes, “I am so glad that your people liked the ring, and if the Greek lines you quoted to me would fit it would be charming. Perhaps, however, our initials inside and (Greek inscription) outside would be all that would fit conveniently.” The ring was donated to College originally at the end of the 19th Century along with letters written by William Ward.