Rights Holder: Cambridgeshire County Council
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Unique ID: CAM-49BF57
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A gold slightly bent mourning finger-ring of c.16th century AD date. A white enamel skull was present at the centre of the upper surface of the ring with white and green enamel detail on the shoulders of the ring. Most of the enamel from all of the enamelled fields has fallen out since the ring was discovered however slight traces do still remain.
Treasure Report:
Date: 16th to early 17th century
Description: A Post-Medieval memento mori finger-ring; the bezel in the form of an incurved hexagon with a skull in the centre which would have once contained white enamel. This is surrounded by the upper-case inscription MEMENTO MORI with traces of black enamel. There are incised line decorations in the corners of the hexagon. The band of the ring is a thin hoop with scrolled shoulders. Traces of white and green enamel remain on the scrolls. The hoop slightly squashed. Fragments of the white enamel which once decorated this finger-ring can be found together with the finger-ring in a separate container.
Dimensions: Weight: 4.2g, Length: 22.3 mm, Width: 16 mm
Discussion: This finger-ring is very similar to Treasure case 2011 T710 (Portable Antiquities Scheme database, WMID-9318D6). Both are similar to an example in the British Museum, AF.1519 which is ascribed a 17th century date.
Conclusion: The age and precious metal content of this item therefore qualify it as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Judy Rudoe, The British Museum
Inscription:
*MEMENTO.MORI
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T835
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1650
Quantity: 1
Length: 22.3 mm
Width: 16 mm
Weight: 4.2 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 3rd November 2013
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Treasure case number: 2013T835
Primary material: Gold
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Inlaid with enamel
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.