The Poison Ring originated in ancient India and the Far East, then made its way to Europe. The traditional Poison ring had a very small container hidden under a hinged cover.

Poison rings alternately referred to as pill boxes, compartment, locket or vessel rings also have a benign purpose.

Ancient Romans sometimes used the Poison ring to commit suicide when a painful death was unavoidable.

During the Middle Ages, they were often used to hide relics of saints, like bits of their hair, bone or teeth.

During the Renaissance, the aristocracy used them to hold cologne, locks of hair and portraits of a loved one.

A shroud of mystery and rumors surround them, so their reputation is fittingly mash-up of fact and fiction.

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February 22, 2018 — Ester Edry