FINGER RING

A complete cast copper alloy finger ring, of probable Early Post Medieval dating (16th to 17th Centuries AD).

The finger ring is of the signet ring style, with a shield shaped bezel. The shoulders are plain and expand slightly out from the width of the hoop. The hoop has a flanged cross section (a prominent ridge running around the centre of the hoop).

The device on the shield shaped bezel is hard to determine, it may be more pseudoheraldic in nature than actually heraldic, as it does not appear to conform to standard heraldic traits. The device consists of a central open cross or possibly a stylized sword / dagger. Placed in the voids between each arm of the cross, are a couple of raised semi-circles. A raised border is present around the edge of the shield device.

The finger ring is mostly a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Patches of a white surface coating, with a scale like texture are present both the internal surface and on sections of the hoop. Exact cause of this coating is uncertain but is likely to be post depositional in nature.

The finger ring has an external diameter of 24.16mm, an internal diameter of 16.90mm. The hoop is 4.54mm wide and 3.68mm thick. The bezel measures 10.55mm long and 10.28mm wide. It weighs 5.4 grams.

The original signet rings were developed back during 13th Century, as a convienent way of carrying around your heraldic seal matrix (form of identity / signature), and continued in use until at least 17th Century AD. However the style did not completely go out of fashion, and pseudoheraldic devices on finger rings can be found from the 18th Century up until the modern period (20th - 21st Centuries AD).

This example, being made from copper alloy and cast, is probably 16th to 17th Centuries in date, but could be of later dating as it has been mentioned that the signet ring style has a very longevity to it.