MOUNT

Fragment of silver decorative mount, broken top and bottom. The outline has the superficial resemblance to spoon handle terminals, but the figurative decoration is the wrong way round, and the cast is hollow on the reverse and clearly intended to sit against a flat surface.

The mount has a tapering form, widest the base of the main motif. This has the form of a crowned reliquary bust of a female saint with long hair, facing forward. The background is filled with asymmetrical vegetal scrolls, against a rusticated surface. Below the bust is a smaller triangular panel filled with what appears to be a winged figure, perhaps a supported angel with cherub-like features. Both figures are cast and raised, and the crowned 'Mary' is flanked by capital initials S and B (for ?Sancta Barbara, Bridget, Bertha, or ownership initials)

The maximum length is 29.5mm; the maximum width 18.3mm; maximum thickness 0.5mm; weight 3.73g. The mount, which has an unevenly polished surface, has not undergone any cleaning or conservation.

Metal Content

To judge from its colour and weight and visual comparison with other silver finger rings in the collections of the Department of History & Archaeology, the alloy is well in excess of 10% silver.

Conclusions

The style of the lettering and decoration indicate that it probably dates to the first half of the seventeenth century. The cherub is reminiscent of some 1630s silver and wall-painting.

A clue to function lies in the fragmentary lug at the base of the 'angel'. This appears to be too small for all but the finest of suspension chains, and appears most likely to have held a small fastening rivet. This suggests that the mount may once have been fastened to a casket as part of a decorative hinge, or to adorn a cover on a small bible or prayer book, the symbolism pointing to a religious nature (perhaps Catholic Stuart silver). The figure does not appear to be heraldic (i.e. a maidenhead crest, combined with the owner's initials), and does not work for Brereton or Booth, two Cheshire / Flintshire families of the period. If not a specific saint, the female figure could represent the Virgin Mary.

It is my opinion that as an object which has at least 10 per cent by weight precious metal, and which is over 300 years old, the mount qualifies as treasure under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Treasure Act 1996.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales is interested in acquiring this item.

Dr Mark Redknap,