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FINGER RING
Unique ID: ESS-A3CCF3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Medieval gold finger ring. The band has engraved decoration in the form of three flowers on stems with inscriptions inbetween. The inernal band is plain and undecorated. There is no makers mark or hall mark. The band is wide, thick. The band is damaged and the shape distorted; in its current condition the ring has an external measurements of 19.45mm by 12.14mm, and internal measurements of 18.19mm by 10.82mm.
A medieval gold finger-ring in the form of a flattened band, now distorted. The ring is engraved with a black letter inscription which reads: +de le bien(?), probably an amatory phrase meaning 'of, or for, the good'. Each word is separated by motifs of flowers and sprigs. The find therefore qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content and should go forward to inquest. Beverley Nenk Dept Prehistory and Europe British Museum 17th December 2008
Inscription:
+de le bien(?)
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2008T235
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1400
Date to: AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Width: 3.89 mm
Thickness: 0.46 mm
Weight: 1.2 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 15th March 2008
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2008T235
Museum accession number: COLEM:2010.42
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
References cited
No references cited so far.
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