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FINGER RING
Unique ID: ESS-1C8F43
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete Medieval silver-gilt finger ring.
The ring has a D-shaped cross-section, 1.23mm thick, 4.01mm wide. At the shoulders, this expands to 5.18mm thick. The bezel splits into two triangular points, each surmounted with a silver knop. Worn remains of gilding are present on the bezels. The rest of the ring has a dark grey patina. The ring is bent out of shape on one side but is complete.
The shoulders of the ring are each decorated with a section of pellets delineated on either side by a line. The rest of the band is decorated with a continuous oval pattern, made up of two undulating lines crossing over one another. At each crossing point a notch is cut into either edge of the band.
This is a Medieval 'stirrup' ring, a type which was popular in England through the 12th to the 15th centuries. Rings with a double bezel such as this are sometimes called 'gimmel' rings (this comes from the French word for twins) and symbolise two lovers (British Museum, AF.1855).
Several similar examples have been recorded through the Treasure process on the PAS database (e.g. KENT-A022A3, KENT-75CEE5, SUSS-C34F64).
Notes:
The object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old. Consequently it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of both age and precious metal content.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Submitted for consideration as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2013T870
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 6.97 mm
Weight: 4.24 g
Diameter: 27.08 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 26th September 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: CIMS OEF: 7526
Treasure case number: 2013T870
Materials and construction
References cited
No references cited so far.
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