Rights Holder: Colchester Museums
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Unique ID: ESS-2979A8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Complete late 15th- early16th century devotional iconographic gold finger ring. The hoop of the ring is formed from five integrally cast bezels. The bezels are circular in plan and flat in section. Each is separated by an oval bead, which has a scale decoration. Each of the bezels is engraved with symbols representing the passion of Christ. 1. Three dice (symbolising the division of Christ's robe) 2. Cross and hammer and nails 3. Pincers and flail 4. Pillar, spear and 5. The Sacred heart There is a strong probability that the bezels were originally enamelled. The interior of the hoop is plain. The ring has an external diameter of 22mm and weighs 7.2g. Whilst the ring falls into a recognised category of devotional rings and is probably a decade ring for use in prayer (the number of bezels and beads add up to ten), an exact comparison could not be found. The closest parallel to this ring is an example in silver gilt, dated to the 15th century published in "Medieval Artefacts" by Nigel Mills, 1999; NM124 page 50.
Notes:
This object was reported as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act. It was subsequently declared treasure at inquest and acquired by Epping Forest District Museum.
Class: iconographic
Current location of find: Acquired by Epping Forest District Museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2004T244
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1475
Date to: AD 1525
Quantity: 1
Weight: 7.2 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st May 2004
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Other reference: 2004T244
Treasure case number: 2004T244
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mills, N. | 1999 | Medieval Artefacts | Greenlight Publishing | 50 |