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FINGER RING
Unique ID: HAMP-CBA236
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A gilded copper-alloy signet ring of late medieval to early post-medieval date. It has a sub-circular hoop that expands in width to a thickened, flattened bezel. The bezel is eight sided, with elongated sides at the edges of the bezel; the other edges, at either end, are slightly incurved (13.2 by 9.8 by 3.55mm (thick)). On its upper surface, within a ropework border is an engraved bird standing in front of a tree or bush. The bird's head is angled down such that its very long beak nearly touches the ground. This is possibly a rebus relating to the owner's name or a contemporary saying; this has not been confirmed (cf. SUSS-BA4106 on this database). At the shoulders and continuing on on the hoop is further decoration in three rows aligned with the short sides of the bezel. Adjacent to the bezel are three areas on each side of indented triangles. Below are three rows of three fleur-de-lys or pheon like recesses. The lower two rows retain enamel, white above black; the depressions above may once also have been enamelled. The hoop narrows through this decorative scheme, and continues to narrow beyond (to 4.1mm) where it is decorated with engraved diagonal lines to give a cabled effect. Traces of gilt survive within these lines as well as on the engraved bezel. The ring has otherwise corroded to a dark red-brown colour with a variable mid-green patina that has developed on the interior of the hoop in particular. Examples of similar signet rings can be found illustrated in Cherry (1991, 45-46); many have been recorded on this database.
Class: signet
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1450
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 26 mm
Width: 9.8 mm
Thickness: 1.9 mm
Weight: 7.52 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st January 2007 - Monday 31st December 2007
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: E2884
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Enamel
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Twyford CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry, J. | 1991 | Rings | 45-46 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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