Record ID: LON-E3E938 - POST MEDIEVAL finger ring

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Finger ring

Unique ID: LON-E3E938

Object type certainty: Certain

A resized image of A Post Medieval cast copper alloy finger ring, 16th-17th century AD

A Post Medieval cast copper alloy finger ring, 16th-17th century AD. The ring has a D-shape sectioned hoop that has an internal diameter of 19.13mm and an external diameter of 21.32mm. The wide hoop of the finger ring has been cast in the form of a buckled strap, with a pointed tongue, three punched circles to indicate pierced holes, a strap loop defined by two incised lines and a prominent projecting knop representative of the buckle pin. The buckle is suggested by a raised area but this has worn and is considerably corroded. The lower two thirds of the hoop's outer surface have been left undecorated. Originally, both the interior and exterior surfaces of the hoop would have been gilded. Traces of gilding remain on the buckle area of the hoop, and in the recessed imitation hallmarks on the interior of the ring. These hallmarks read 'W', '15' and 'M'. Where the gilding hasn't survived, the finger ring has a dark red-brown surface colour with large patches of bright green patina.

The finger ring was clearly intended as a fake of contemporary gold examples such as the treasure find from Norfolk recorded with the Scheme as 2007 T359. Dalton (1912) records a similar example dating to the Medieval period, p. 105 ref. 696, that has been made from copper alloy, but has slightly different strap decoration and an incised legend. Rings in the form of a belt and buckle, often for lovers, were popular in Europe from around the 14th century onwards.

Dimensions: width: 4.83mm; thickness: 1.21mm; diameter: 21.32mm; weight: 1.94g.

Reference: Dalton, O. M. 1912. Catalogue of the Finger Rings in the British Museum. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: AD 1500
Date to: AD 1700

Dimensions and weight

Width: 4.83 mm
Thickness: 1.21 mm
Weight: 1.94 g
Diameter: 21.32 mm
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Manufacture method: Cast [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Complete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: South East And London
County: East Sussex
District: Wealden
Parish: Hailsham

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: TQ5670
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source: From finder
Grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 1st November 2009

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Ms Felicity Winkley - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Ms Felicity Winkley - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

References cited

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