FINGER RING

A broken finger ring of probable post-medieval date. Although broken, the external hoop of the ring is made up of four knops, and based upon their size it seems likely that there would originally have been ten knops. This makes it extremely likely that this ring was in fact a decade ring, used as a discreet way of assisting in the saying of the ten prayers that make up the Rosary in the Catholic Christian tradition. The term decade refers to the ten prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary. Decade rings were a form of rosary used for repeating the ten prayers, with the central bezel representing the Pater Noster (Lord's Prayer). Since they were more discreet than rosary beads decade rings became popular during times of religious persecution, particularly in the 16th century. The bezel in this example is oval in shape and has an incised motif. It is not immediately clear what this depicts, but it appears to show a figure standing, possibly holding a staff or sword, and with what may be a shield with a cross in it to the figure's right. Compared to some decade rings this example is quite crudely executed, and working out what scene is supposed to be depicted is difficult. A silver example (WAW-CB51A1) on this database has the latin initials for Jesus inscribed, and it is possible that the crude design on this example is intended to depict Jesus, or perhaps someone in prayer. Another gold example (YORYM-07E2C3) has a cross on the bezel, whilst a copper-alloy example (SOMDOR-7E6495) has what appears to be a leaf depicted. Despite the ambiguity surrounding the motif, it seems that this ring is most likely to be a decade ring, and is therefore most likely to be post-medieval in date, perhaps dating to the 16th or 17th century.

It measures 21.52 mm wide, 16.2 mm long, 8.41 mm thick and weighs 3.7 grams.