Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: IOW-9E6B77
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Published
A complete and misshapen post-Medieval gold 'memento mori' finger-ring (1500-1650). Treasure case no. 2013 T376.
The flat quatrefoil bezel with a small triangular projection in each angle. A central roundel is decorated with a skull, deeply scored with cross-hatching to take enamel, and is surrounded by an inscription in capital letters beginning with a five pointed star initial mark:
MEMENTO MORI (in remembrance of death)
Outside the inscription, each foil has a design made with inscribed grooves, possibly representing a sprig pattern. Each tapering shoulder is similar and has an abstract design, perhaps representing two flower heads, beyond which is a 'V' shaped groove. The hoop is rectangular in cross-section and has no inscription on the inside.
This finger-ring is slightly worn and there is a fracture between the bezel and each shoulder.
27.88mm (length); 16.35mm (width); 3.78mm (thickness). Weight: 4.49g.
Memento mori finger-rings may have been worn as a constant reminder of the inevitability of death. For comparable examples in The British Museum with white enamel skulls and black enamel inscriptions, see AF 1519-1523.
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Class:
'Memento mori'
Inscription:
MEMENTO MORI
Current location of find: Returned to finder, 13/09/2013
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T376
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Exactly AD 1500
Date to: Exactly AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.88 mm
Width: 16.35 mm
Thickness: 3.78 mm
Weight: 4.49 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 9th June 2013
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Other reference: IOW2013-2-246
Treasure case number: 2013T376
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Hand made
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.