Rights Holder: Durham County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
FINGER RING
Unique ID: DUR-E1BCED
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete gold finger ring dating to the 16th-18th Century. The ring is circular in plan, complete, and has a D-shaped cross section. The decoration of the band consists of an applied gold hand which is itself incised with decorative patterns. The hand aspect has been created by repeated linear incising to form fingers, below which, on the wrist aspect is a more intricate geometric pattern. This object likely would have had a second hand, which would have clasped the first, which would identify it as a fede ring. The second hand has been lost, possibly in antiquity and likely caused by the means of application of the decoration not securing this aspect to the band fully. The band is distorted and bent in two places due to post-depositional processes.
Although finger-rings depicting clasped hands have been found dating from the Roman period up to the 19th century, they became especially popular during the 15th century, when they were given as symbols of love, marriage or betrothal and the name is taken from the Italian le mani in fede (hands in faith/trust).
Notes:
In the absence of identifiable maker's mark or other datable features, it cannot be securely dated to pre-1716 and as such falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2015T260
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1717
Date to: Circa AD 1800
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.14 mm
Weight: 1.2 g
Diameter: 18.33 mm
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2015T260
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: North East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
District: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: NZ2941
Four figure Latitude: 54.76310245
Four figure longitude: -1.55083791
1:25K map: NZ2941
1:10K map: NZ24SE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: IOW-26DFD5
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A fragment of a Medieval to post-Medieval silver-gilt 'fede' finger-ring. Treasure case no. 2017 T681.
This fragment is the bezel and a sm…
Workflow: Published
Find number: SUR-3C2C55
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
The bezel from a silver-gilt finger ring of Fede type. The bezel depicts a pair of clasped hands, each with a collar or cuff. Above the hands…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: LVPL-CB7086
Object type: FINGER RING
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An almost complete gold iconographic or 'fede' type finger ring, probably 15th-early 16th century date. The hoop is hexagonal in plan …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618