Record ID: NMGW-9D9A68 - MEDIEVAL finger ring

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Finger ring

Unique ID: NMGW-9D9A68

Object type certainty: Certain

A resized image of Medieval gold finger ring

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Decorative gold ring with a projecting facetted rectangular bezel, set with a small uncut (cabochon) purple stone, probably rose quartz. There is a small transverse ridge on each side of the bezel at the junction with the hoop, decorated with transverse engraved lines. The underside of the bezel has buckled. The bezel measures 10.04mm (H) x 8.7mm (W; 10mm including ledges). The hoop is slightly misshapen.

Metal Content

To judge from its colour and weight, and visual comparison with other gold rings and brooches in the collections of the Department of Archaeology & Numismatics, the item is gold (over 10%). This was confirmed by analysis of the metal composition of the ring by Mary Davis using CamScan MaXim 2040 analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The average composition of the gold is:
1% copper
7% silver
92% gold
The pink/purple stone is quartz; probably rose quartz - not purple enough for amethyst

Notes:

The finger ring from Rhoose has a form typical of a 12^th-century date. It is similar in form and size to one from grave 4 on the site of the Chapter House, Durham Cathedral, identified by Fowler (1880) as that of Bishop Ranulf Flambard (AD1099-1128), though this identification has been questioned (Wilson 1964, 7 note 2; Stratford 1984a, 290 no. 311). The Rhoose ring is also paralleled by three rings from the Lark Hill hoard, buried near Worcester with 229 coins about AD 1173-4 (Archibald 1984, 292-3; Stratford 1984b). Examples with smaller bezels and stones are known (cf. Treasure Annual Report 1998-99, no. 107 from South Kyme, Lincolnshire; Treasure Annual Report 2004, no. 173 from the Eye area, Suffolk; Dalton 1912, no. 1751).

Summary and conclusions
The ring is of 12^th-century date. As with the other finds, the deposition of this ring probably represents accidental loss.

It is my opinion that as an object which has at least 10 per cent by weight precious metal, and which is at least 300 years old, the ring is treasure under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Treasure Act 1996.

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: Nation Museum of Wales
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure

Treasure details

Treasure case tracking number: 2007W19

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1200

Dimensions and weight

Length: 20.7 mm
Width: 13.2 mm
Weight: 3.6 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Gold [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Secondary material: Gem [scope notes| view all attributed records]
Completeness: Complete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: Wales
County: Vale Of Glamorgan
District: Vale Of Glamorgan
To be known as: Rhoose

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]
General landuse: Cultivated land [scope notes]

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st September 2007

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: M Redknap - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Mr Mark Lodwick - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

Treasure case number: 2007W19

References cited

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