Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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FINGER RING
Unique ID: SUSS-F84C07
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete gold finger ring dating from the 16th - early 17th century. The bezel is hexagonal in shape and each side of the hexagon is slightly concave. The front of the bezel has been decorated with an engraved design. The design comprises an incised double ring, containing the legend + NOSCE TE IPSUM. This legend has been written in Latin and translates to mean 'Know thyself'. The letters of the legend have been infilled with black enamel. Inside the legend there is an image of Death, in the form of a skull. The skull has been infilled with a white enamel and the area around the skull has been infilled with a black enamel. The white of the skull has partially worn away. Inside the points of the hexagon there are engraved floral designs. The bezel measures 12.8mm x 16.2mm x 1.9mm. The shoulders of the ring are formed from high relief floral scrolls; parts of the scrolls have been infilled with blue enamel. The distance from shoulder to shoulder measures 23.2mm. Engraved floral designs can be seen on the hoop of the ring extending down from the shoulders, continuing the same pattern. The hoop has broken at this point, behind the bezel. The breaks are worn. For parallel see Treasure Annual Report 1998-9, no.187. Discussion: In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. Dimensions: Weight: 7.75grams. Bezel = 12.8mm x 16.2mm x 1.9mm. Shoulder diameter = 23.2mm.
Notes:
Treasure case Number 2006 T497
Purchased by Horsham Museum, under the Treasure Act 1996.
Class: Memento mori
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Purchased by Horsham Museum, under the Treasure Act 1996.
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2006T497
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 7.75 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 11th October 2006
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Treasure case Number 2006 T497
Treasure case number: 2006T497
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Enamel
Completeness: Incomplete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Horsham (District)
To be known as: Thakeham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCMS | 2000 | Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999 | Department for Culture, Media and Sport | 79-80 | No: 187 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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