This is an antique bracelet I bought in England. The Claddagh Ring is a motif of a heart held in both hands, which is said to have been made by Richard Joyce, a native of the village of Claddagh in western Ireland, who was kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Algeria , and later rescued by King William III . The ring was made using the goldsmithing techniques he learned in Algeria and presented to him as an expression of gratitude. The heart motif is said to represent "love," the two hands represent "friendship," and the crown represents "loyalty."
