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FINGER RING
Unique ID: LVPL-11DBC3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Decorative gold mourning ring, slightly misshapen. The outer surface is engraved with a repeating floral (quatrefoil and larger flowers) pattern, inlaid in dark blue-black enamel.
The inner face of the hoop is inscribed with the text: Tho ded I bee remember mee in italic script, followed by the initials (in capirtals) K.W and an isolated smaller capital D. There are slight traces of dark blue-black enamel in the lettering.
The object which has at least 10 per cent by weight precious metal, and which is at least 300 years old, the ring is treasure under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Treasure Act 1996.
Notes:
The style of the lettering and decoration, and form of the ring indicate that the ring is of late seventeenth-century date. Similar letter forms occur on mid-seventeenth-century manuscripts (eg Henriette de Coligny, Le Triomphe de Amarillis [and other poems] (V&AM MS L1056-1950; Whalley 1980, 238). Rings with similar enamelled decoration have been found at Old Beaupre, Vale of Glamorgan (dated to the late 16th ot 17th century: Treasure Annual Report 2003, no. 420) and a site east of Colchester (with similar legend prepared be to follow me IK ob 4 1st 67 i.e. dated 1667: Treasure Annual Report 2004, no. 314). A gold ring from Martham, Norfolk, bears the legend When+ this+ you+ see+ remember+mee (Treasure Annual Report 2004, no. 355).
The decoration also suggests a seventeenth rather than eighteenth-century date. The double ee spelling occurs on a memorial ring engraved Wee part to meete dated 1658 (Dalton 1912, no. 1459). Other inscriptions attributed to the seventeenth century include In death shees blest Since heavens her rest (ibid, no. 1484), and Not lost but gone before'(ibid, no. 1485).
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class:
mourning
Inscription:
Tho ded I bee remember me K.W
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2011W6
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 3.69 mm
Weight: 3.3 g
Diameter: 19.01 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 8th May 2011
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2011W6
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Enamel
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Spatial metadata
Region: Wales (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Flintshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Flintshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Buckley
References cited
No references cited so far.
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