FINGER RING

A cast lead finger ring of probable post-medieval date. The ring is slightly bent out of shape and is oval in plan with a projecting flat oval shaped bezel (9.53 mm long and 8.45 mm wide) and ten small projecting knops around the outer circumference. The bezel is plain but on more elaborate examples of such rings there are designs and letters. One side of the ring is flat whilst the other is rounded.

The ten knops around the circumference of the ring suggest that it was 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. Compared to some decade rings this example is quite crudely executed, and some are much more elaborate. A silver example (WAW-CB51A1) on this database has the latin initials for Jesus inscribed. 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. However, other cruder lead examples are also known and one is recorded as DUR-1B82E4 on this database. It is likely that the cruder examples executed in non-precious metals were used by those who did not have the means to purchase more expensive versions. Given the similarity to other examples known, this ring is almost certainly a decade ring, and is therefore most likely to be post-medieval in date, perhaps dating to the 16th or 17th century.

It measures 35.32 mm wide from side to side and 32.5 mm long from the bezel to the rear. It is 5.26 mm thick and weighs 18.8 grams. It has a pale cream patina.