FINGER RING

Description: Silver gilt finger ring with a bezel projecting outwards in a triangular 'stirrup shape' topped by a rounded knop and multiple motifs on the hoop. On the side opposite the bezel are moulded clasped hands with the fingers and thumb finely picked out.

The hands are flanked by raised squares with indented saltires on them. These squares start at slightly different points around the loops. Beyond the squares, mid-way between the hands and bezel are raised lozenge shapes created by faceting on the outer side of the hoop. The lozenges are each topped with a raised cross with expanded lozenge shaped arms; the arms running down the length of the hoop are equal in length to each other but longer than the transverse arms. Beyond these crosses is a second raised square with indented saltire on each side and beyond these are two animal heads clasping the bezel in their mouths. Both heads have moulded brow ridges and muzzles with nostrils and incised lines marking the eyes. On one the top of the head is slightly longer and is decorated by two raised chevrons in a recessed panel, perhaps representing ears. This longer head corrects the imbalance created by the slightly uneven positioning of the other moulded decoration. The inner side of the loop is plain and smooth and there are extensive traces of gilding. There is a slight roughness on the inner side behind the 'wrist' of one of the hands, perhaps where the loop was originally joined or a repair.

Dimensions: It is 30.8 by 26.0mm externally and varies from 21.3 to 20.9mm internally. The widest point and thinnest point is the clasped hands where it is 8.6mm wide by 1.8mm thick; at the bezel it is 3.6mm wide by 8.2mm thick. It weighs 7.23 grams.

Discussion: This ring is unusual in combining several decorative effects normally found on separate rings. The stirrup shape crowned with a rounded knop is paralleled by WILT-A19293, Treasure case 2006 T263 dating from 1150 to 1450 AD. The animal heads and raised squares with saltires are similar to DENO-068751, Treasure case 2009 T18, of 13th century date. Treasure case 2002 T146, TAR 2002, also has animal heads flanking a stirrup shape bezel with knop, the decoration on the rest of the loop is different however, lacking the clasped hands and it also has additional inscriptions and knops lacking on this example. It was dated to the 14^th century. Rings depicting clasped hands known as 'fede' rings, from the Italian mani in fede ('hands in faith'), were given as tokens of love, engagement or marriage and are common from Roman times up to the 19th century. The combination of features therefore suggests an 1150-1300 AD date. 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. Laura Burnett
Finds Liaison Officer - Sussex August 2010