FINGER RING

Incomplete silver gilt finger ring dating to the Medieval period. The ring has a D-shaped cross section and the outside of the ring is inscribed. The fragment is not misshapen but less than 50% of the ring survives. Both terminals of the ring fragment have jagged ends and were broken in antiquity. One end of the ring fragment is slightly widening, possibly for a bezel which is now missing. The wider end has three stepped bands. The outer two bands are undecorated. The innermost band has an incised, cross-hatched design creating four large lozenges in the centre surrounded by a smaller lozenge pattern. The inscribed section of the finger ring is next to the decorated band. The inscription reads 'MIWN' in slightly raised Gothic or Blackletter script within a cartouche that terminates with pointed ends on either side of the 'M' and 'N'. Within the cartouche is an incised, cross-hatched pattern, similar to the one found in the decorated band, which provides a decorative background to the letters. The opposing break in the finger ring occurs outside of the cartouche. Gilding is still present on the reverse of the finger ring although it is worn in places. On the outside of the finger ring, gilding has worn away on the raised surfaces. Maximum length: 24.23mm. Width: 6.61mm. Thickness: 2.31mm. Weight: 3.54g

The object is unusual in that most inscribed rings have recessed lettering. A similar inscribed finger ring - recorded as 2005 T526, PAS: LVPL-AE5122 - has an inscription set within a border with the letters set in relief against a cross-hatched background.