Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
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FINGER RING
Unique ID: SF-740B36
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Description: A complete Medieval Silver gilt finger ring with a bezel projecting outwards in a triangular 'stirrup shape' topped by an oval setting of red glass, which is now incomplete. The band has a rectangular cross-section and its outer face is decorated with repeated V-shaped grooves, which probably represent sleeves, as on the band opposite the bezel are two moulded clasped hands. Each hand is bordered by three incised lines indicating cuffs. The interior of the band is undecorated. Traces of gilding survive on both faces of the ring.
Discussion: Stirrup shaped bezels are usually dated to 1150 to 1450 AD. Rings depicting clasped hands known as 'fede' rings, from the Italian mani in fede ('hands in faith'), were given as tokens of love, engagement or marriage and are common from Roman times up to the 19th century. The combination of the stirrup and the fede hands can be seen in other examples such as 2010 T176 and 2011 T583.
Dimensions: 4.96g in weight, the ring is 29.63mm in length with an internal diameter of 19.94mm; the hoop is 4.32mm in height.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2014T121
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 29.63 mm
Weight: 4.96 g
Diameter: 19.94 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st January 2014
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2014T121
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Mid Suffolk (District)
To be known as: Tannington
Spatial coordinates
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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