Rights Holder: Museum of London
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Unique ID: LON-121037
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
A medieval finger-ring of stirrup shape with two clasped hands engraved on the back of the hoop. The hoop consists of a flat band with an inscription, which reads
+ A V E M(?) A R I A: G -
The last letter is incomplete but appears to form the vertical stroke for the letter 'R'. The full inscription would read:
A V E M A R I A G R A C IA P L E N A
(Hail Mary, full of grace)
This is the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary at the time of the Annunciation of Christ's birth. The words carried amuletic significance in the Middle Ages, and were frequently inscribed on rings and brooches.
The finger-ring is silver and dates from the fourteenth century.
Dimensions: height 26 mm, width 24 mm and weight 3.3g.
Consequently, 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.
J P Robinson
Curator of Medieval Collections
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2012T16
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Height: 26 mm
Width: 24 mm
Weight: 3.3 g
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Treasure case number: 2012T16
4 Figure: TQ4493
Four figure Latitude: 51.617412
Four figure longitude: 0.078542
1:25K map: TQ4493
1:10K map: TQ49SW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
No references cited so far.