Rights Holder: Norfolk Museums Service
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FINGER RING
Unique ID: NMS-1DEFA8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Incomplete silver signet ring with only a short length of the flat D-sectioned hoop extant. An inscription encircles round the sloping edge of the transversely set oval bezel and surrounds an antique oval carnelian intaglio engraved with the figure of Fides, standing and holding corn ears and a basket of fruit. A collar at the junction of hoop and bezel is stamped with ten tiny triangles, and the hoop is decorated with a transverse groove and a saltire between the arms of which are two single and two triplets of pellets. The inscription reads: + SIGNVO SFCRF TIC ELA The N is retrograde. This could be read as "The secret sign of Ela". If the 0 with curling tail on its right-hand side is read as an M and the two F's as E's, and the spacing is ignored, then another possible translation is "Conceal the secret sign" (Signum secreti cela). Medieval signet rings set with intaglios frequently contain the word secret in their inscriptions (Dalton 1912, 38; Oman 1974, 101, pl. 37).
Date: Late 13th - first half 14th century. The intaglio is probably 2nd century.
Bezel 19.5 x 15.5mm. Hoop width 4.5mm. Weight 4.12g.
Notes:
The age and precious metal content of this ring qualify it as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.
Inscription:
+ SIGNVO SFCRF TIC ELA
Evidence of reuse: A 2nd century inaglio reused in a medieval signet ring.
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: 2007T483
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1250
Date to: AD 1350
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 19.5 mm
Width: 15.5 mm
Weight: 4.12 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 19th August 2007
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2007T483
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Secondary material: Gem
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Norfolk (County)
District: South Norfolk (District)
To be known as: Langley with Hardley
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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