The Portable Antiquities Scheme

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The finger-ring is near-complete, missing only some of the inlay. The hoop has a comparatively small diameter and is of rectangular section, with straight sides, which gradually diverge from the base to the bezel. The base of the hoop is undecorated while the remainder is decorated with three panels. Each side of the hoop is decorated with a trapezoidal panel containing a cross with wide terminals (Patee Cross). The area around the cross is recessed with some surviving traces of inlaid niello. Above and below the trapezoidal panels are rows of punched marks, defining the ends of a convex section. The bezel comprises a square panel containing four crosses, each made-up of lozenge-shaped arms. Traces of niello also survive in one corner of the recessed areas surounding the crosses.

The finger-ring form can be closely paralleled with medieval, 12th century examples. In 2005 a very similar 12th century finger-ring from Highnam in Gloucestershire was reported under the Treasure Act (Robinson, 2008, 114, No. 400). The Highnam finger-ring has a very similar bezel design but differs in the applied decoration to the shoulders. A further treasure case in 2004 from Climping in West Sussex (Nenk, 2007a, p 102, no. 174) records a fragmentary finger-ring of 12th or early 13th century date, again with a similar bezel but with a moulded zoomorphic device on the shoulders. Also in 2004, a similar finger-ring was recorded from Tysoe in Warwickshire (Nenk, 2007b, p 101, No 169) of 12th century date. The Tysoe example had square pellets surrounded by niello in the bezel and a single cross of differing designs on the shoulders.

• Robinson J.P, 2008. Highnam, Gloucestershire: Medieval silver finger-ring British Museum : Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure, pp114.
• Nenk, B, 2007. Climping, West Sussex: Medieval silver finger-ring fragment British Museum : Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure, pp102.
• Nenk, B. , 2007. , Warwickshire: Medieval silver finger-ring British Museum : Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure, pp101.

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Created: Friday 27th May 2011
Updated: Friday 2nd March 2012