FINGER RING

Description: Medieval gold finger-ring, with a rounded hexagonal bezel containing a cabochon sub-circular turquoise gem stone. The hoop is sub-oval in section at the base and sides of the hoop and a rounded triangle in section at the shoulders where it meets the bezel. The exterior of the hoop is decorated with an incised crosshatch design which is notably worn, especially at the sides where the hoop would have rubbed against the neighbouring fingers during wear. The bezel is flat at the base and then tapers upwards and outwards with six facets creating the hexagonal shape. The bezel then tapers inwards, without faceting, to surround and frame the turquoise gemstone with a circular opening revealing the top of the stone. The edge of the gold bezel frame is slightly damaged along the margins where it surrounds the gemstone.

The ring is Medieval and most probably dates from the 13^th - 14^th centuries, c.1200-1400.

Dimensions: Weight 1.9g; side-to-side diameter of hoop 19.9mm external, 17.7mm internal; height (top to bottom - including stone) 22.7mm & internal ( therefore excluding stone and setting) 17.2mm; width of hoop is 2mm at shoulders and 1.6mm at base (consistent with notable wear); thickness of hoop is 1.8mm at the shoulders and 1.1mm at the base (again consistent with wear). The gem setting is 4.4mm high, including the gem and 2.7mm high to the top of the setting alone. The setting is a rounded hexagon in shape which is 8mm wide from shoulder to shoulder and 7.8mm across from side-to-side. The opening for the gem is 5.6mm x 5.9mm.

Discussion: This finger ring is similar in style to other examples also reported via the Treasure Act, for examples with similar settings, although containing different types of gemstone see 2010 T674 from North Yorkshire and 2008 T580 from Essex.