Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
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FINGER RING
Unique ID: SF-0D09B2
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete silver-gilt medieval iconographic finger-ring. The bezel is rectangular in shape, with angled corners, and is engraved with a standing bearded figure of St. John the Evangelist, who holds a covered chalice in his left hand and appears to bless the cup with his right hand. The hoop has a D-shaped section and is decorated with alternating diagonal raised plain and beaded bands. Each shoulder is divided into two facets, by a beaded band running along its centre. Leaf-shaped motifs are engraved on either side of the beaded rib, one shoulder also shows traces of green enamel decorating the leaves.
Discussion: Iconographic finger rings were popular objects of personal devotion in the late Middle Ages, and numerous rings survive with single, double or triple faceted bezels bearing depictions of saints or religious scenes. Other examples of St. John the Evangelist depicted on late medieval iconographic finger-rings are KENT-C343E3 (2007 T632) and a double faceted ring from the BritishMuseum, AF.915.
Notes:
Consequently, in terms of age and precious metal content, the object qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Acquired by Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T300
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1450
Date to: Circa AD 1550
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.16 mm
Weight: 4.1 g
Diameter: 24.84 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st March 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2013T300
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Mid Suffolk (District)
To be known as: pettaugh
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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