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FINGER RING
Unique ID: NMS-F27122
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Silver finger-ring with D-section hoop and flat lozengiform bezel. The hoop is thin (min. width<1mm) and slightly distorted. The bezel, cracked on one edge, is decorated with an interlaced animal, once reserved on a ground of niello, of which a small part survives at the narrow end opposite the animal's head. Pecked dots adorn the broader parts of the body. A series of tiny transverse lines fill the space between one side of the bezel and a parallel engraved line. 9th century.
Treasure report from Dr Anna Gannon: The find is a silver ring, the hoop is of D-section and the bezel is oval. There is a crack on one edge of the bezel, and the hoop is distorted.
The bezel is decorated with an animal: the muzzle is nestled in one of the narrow ends of the oval, and the simplified body is decorated with dots and interlaced with a plain lappet which terminates in the other corner of the field. One can discern elements of Trewhiddle style, albeit quite coarse, in the blunt muzzle and speckled decoration of the body. The background to the animal was once filled with niello, a portion of which can still be seen in the corner opposite to that occupied by the head. All around the bezel is a beaded border around a plain frame, of which only one part is now visible, the rest being worn away. A good parallel for the type and frame decoration of the ring can be seen in the specimen from Winterbourne Whitechurch, Dorset (see Treasure Annual Report 1998-1999, no. 65).
Notes:
The ring can be dated to the ninth century, and its date, silver content and the fact that there is no traceable owner qualify this piece as Treasure, under the provisions of the Treasure Act of 1996. Norwich Castle Museum would be interested in acquiring the piece.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Norwich Castle Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2003T133
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 800
Date to: AD 899
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Weight: 1.46 g
Diameter: 20 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st May 2003
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
SMR reference number: 17868
Treasure case number: 2003T133
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: South Norfolk (District)
To be known as: NORFOLK TIBENHAM
Spatial coordinates
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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