FINGER RING

Treasure Case 2012-T667: Specialist Report

Silver iconographic Finger ring from the Honiton Area - Devon

Date: later Medieval

Date of discovery: September 2012

Circumstances of discovery: Found whilst metal detecting

Description:

The hoop of the finger ring is broadly D shaped (stirrup shaped) and slightly distorted in plan and it has a D-shaped cross section. The hoop of the finger ring flares (at the shoulders of the ring) and forms a sub-rectangular horizontal bezel (which is slightly indented (U shaped).

The external face of the finger ring has multiple areas of decoration. These have been achieved with a combination of both cast and incised design. The most intricately decorated area is the bezel which is horizontal to the hoop; in plan its shape is broadly rectangular with pointed terminals - this panel is decorated with a well cut neat but naively achieved scene of the Virgin and Christ Child. This has been neatly engraved with small incised lines with a V shaped profile. The Virgin is depicted with a halo / crown and the child is swaddled in the Virgin's robes. The faces are crudely depicted with the features only slightly realised. Around the figure, the background is cross-hatched. Both shoulders of the hoop are decorated with lozenge shaped panels with deeply incised shell shaped patterns formed from radiating incised lines which form the ribs of the shell. Each should has two shells aligned vertical and four shells position either side of the central ones. The rear section of the hoop has a series of regular diagonal incised lines which form a rope like pattern. The metal is a dull grey colour and there is no evidence of an applied gilt surface.

Dimensions:

The hoop measures 20.9mm x 21.9mm, it is 6.7mm wide (at the bezel) and 3.4mm wide (at the rear of the hoop), it is 2.1mm thick at the bezel and 1.7mm thick and the rear of the hoop. The internal diameter of the ring is 18.0mm x 16.6mm. The finger ring weighs 4.22 grams.

Discussion and Dating:

This form of ring is relatively common often baring the design of Virgin and Christ Child (for example see Fowler 2011 and Hayward Trevarthen 2008). This form of ring is made of gold, silver and copper alloy - many of the silver and copper alloy examples are also gilded. Several gold examples can be seen in the collections of the Ashmoleon Museum, Oxford. These have been published and the discussion suggests that iconographic finger rings are so called as they depict devotional images and saints. They were used at weddings and given as New Year presents in England and Scotland from the late fourteenth century, this type of ring did not survive the reformation (Scarisbrick and Henig, 2003, p42-43, plate 12, 1-4). Other examples of similar rings can be seen in British Rings 800-1914 (Oman 1974 pp 54-64) who also dates this form of Religious ring to the very late medieval period (1400-1550 AD)

Metal Content:

I believe that the precious metal content (silver) of the finger ring fulfils the requirements of the Treasure Act in that it is greater than 10%.

References:

Fowler,H (2011) CAM-05A915 A MEDIEVAL FINGER RING Webpage available at: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/424753

Hayward Trevarthen,C (2008) DOR-4E94C4 A MEDIEVAL FINGER RING Webpage available at: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/205526

Oman C. 1974 British Rings 800-1914 Batsford: London

Scarisbrick, D. and Henig, M. 2003 Finger Rings: from Ancient to modern Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

Author

Peter Reavill Finds Liaison Officer, Portable Antiquities Scheme