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VERVEL
Unique ID: ESS-BE1B12
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Treasure Case: 2011 T309 Toppesfield Area, Essex : silver vervel or 'hawking ring'
Date of Discovery: 2010
Circumstances of discovery: Whilst searching with a metal detector
Date: Post Medieval. 16th to 17th Century.
Description: Cast silver hawking vervel. A small silver ring with a 'D' shaped cross section. The outer surface of the ring is flat and has the inscription "Iohn Stepkin of:" although no place name is given.
The ring is 8.84mm in diameter, 2.51mm wide and 1.35mm thick. It weighs 0.60 grams.
Hawking rings record the owner's name and sometimes their county, and were attached to the leather jesses or thongs on the hawk's legs which attached the bird to the block.
Report by: Laura McLean Finds Liaison Officer, Essex Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service June 2011
Notes:
The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
Class:
Ring
Inscription:
Iohn Stepkin of:
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to landowner after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2011T309
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1550
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Width: 2.51 mm
Thickness: 1.35 mm
Weight: 0.6 g
Diameter: 8.84 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st January 2010 - Friday 31st December 2010
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2011T309
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
References cited
No references cited so far.
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