Description: A complete cast gold finger ring, probably dating to the 15th or 16th Century.
The finger ring is sub circular in plan, and D shaped in section.The exterior of the band has been decorated with a repeating design consisting of a a four petalled flower within a diamond cartouche. A small incised cross is present at the centre of the flower design. Small crosses are present at the centre of the triangles separating each flower design.
The interior of the band has an incised latin inscription, in lower case black letter script, reading: mens immota manet (translated: the mind remains steadfast / unmoved). Incised eight pointed stars separate each word. The finger ring is a mid yellow colour. The inscription is not earlier than the 17th Century, so is probably a later addition to the ring.
Inscription: mens immota manet
Dimensions: The ring has an external diameter of 16.04 mm and an internal diameter of 13.59 mm. The hoop is 2.79 mm and 1.24 mm thick. It weighs 1.6 g.
Discussion: The small size of the finger ring may suggest that it was originally for a child, however during the Medieval and Post Medieval Periods, finger rings were worn on all parts of the fingers, so it could have been for the fifth finger of an adult.
The phrase 'Mens Immota manet' originally comes from Vergil's Aeneid but it was in use in the 16th Century as a proverb. It is also used as a motto for the Scottish Family, Meldrum, whose name appears on early census rolls but came more prominent during the 18th Centuries.
Conclusion: As it is older than 300 years, with a precious metal content of greater than 10%, it falls within the requirements of the Treasure Act 1996, and should be considered Potential Treasure
Description: A complete cast gold finger ring, probably dating to the 15th or 16th Century.
The finger ring is sub circular in plan, and D shaped in section.The exterior of the band has been decorated with a repeating design consisting of a a four petalled flower within a diamond cartouche. A small incised cross is present at the centre of the flower design. Small crosses are present at the centre of the triangles separating each flower design.
The interior of the band has an incised latin inscription, in lower case black letter script, reading: mens immota manet (translated: the mind remains steadfast / unmoved). Incised eight pointed stars separate each word. The finger ring is a mid yellow colour. The inscription is not earlier than the 17th Century, so is probably a later addition to the ring.
Inscription: mens immota manet
Dimensions: The ring has an external diameter of 16.04 mm and an internal diameter of 13.59 mm. The hoop is 2.79 mm and 1.24 mm thick. It weighs 1.6 g.
Discussion: The small size of the finger ring may suggest that it was originally for a child, however during the Medieval and Post Medieval Periods, finger rings were worn on all parts of the fingers, so it could have been for the fifth finger of an adult.
The phrase 'Mens Immota manet' originally comes from Vergil's Aeneid but it was in use in the 16th Century as a proverb. It is also used as a motto for the Scottish Family, Meldrum, whose name appears on early census rolls but came more prominent during the 18th Centuries.
Conclusion: As it is older than 300 years, with a precious metal content of greater than 10%, it falls within the requirements of the Treasure Act 1996, and should be considered Potential Treasure
A RDF representation of WMID-D2FF42
2013-04-16T12:03:16+01:00
2017-05-17T15:08:59+01:00
WMID-D2FF42
WMID-D2FF42
GB
en-GB
The Trustees of the British Museum
The Trustees of the British Museum
1
http://purl.org/NET/Claros/vocab#Thumbnail
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A thumbnail image of WMID-D2FF42
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Gold
Primary material of object
Complete
2.79
Width
16.04
Diameter
1.24
Thickness
1.6
Weight
By Attribution 3.0
The period from for the object
Attribute as courtesy of the British Museum
A full resolution image of WMID-D2FF42
1400
1600