FINGER RING

Examples of wire rings with flat spiral bezels occur over a wide range of periods, from Roman to modern times. Many are known from Anglo-Saxon graves dating to the sixth- to early seventh-centuries, for example Buckland, Kent Graves F (Evison 1987) and 250 (Parfitt and Anderson 2012, 399); Chatham Lines, Kent Grave IV; St. Albans, Hertfordshire (both MacGregor and Bolick 1993, cat. nos. 27.18 and 27.19); and grave 60 at Edix Hill, Cambridgeshire (Malim and Hines 1998). A number of comparable rings in silver are recorded on the PAS database, including WILT-9D4288, NARC-3AE845 and KENT-C90BE3. Most recently, they have been categorised by Hines and Bayliss (2013, p. 217, fig. 5.183, pp. 366-367) as Type WR3. They are typically referred to as finger-rings, but most excavated examples have been found in the necklace area of the dead.

The material and form of the Bulford example raise questions about its precise dating. Anglo-Saxon examples are more common in silver than gold: a slip-knot-style gold ring with terminals wrapped around the shoulders but no spiral bezel from 'near Woodbridge, Suffolk' (PAS database SF-7E3EDB) is quite different in form and may be a suspension loop, while another gold example from Castlelevington, Stockton-on-Tees (PAS database DUR-92E7D2) has a far more complex bezel construction. In addition, most have round-sectioned bands; lozenge-sectioned bands are known primarily from later contexts and lack the spiral bezel, for instance the gold ring from the Beeston Tor Hoard, thought to have been deposited around 875 (British Museum 1925,0217.1; Webster and Backhouse 1991, cat. 245c); or Viking-period examples with knotted terminals, for instance from Kings Newnham, Warwickshire (PAS database WMID-5C23C2), and also Weston Coleville, Cambridgeshire (PAS database CAM-A32F23) and the Soberton Hoard (British Museum 1851,0313.2), both in gold and punch-decorated so again fairly different in style. Research has shown that spiral-bezel rings with thinner square-sectioned bands that sit flat against the finger may be of modern manufacture, no earlier than the nineteenth century and possibly machine-made: several examples which were initially thought to be ancient have been subsequently reinterpreted as modern (PAS database LEIC-D4A8A2; DENO-188490), with some proven so by scientific analysis (KENT-697734). However, non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the finger-ring from Bulford indicated a surface composition of approximately 67-68% gold, 30-31% silver and the rest being copper, which is not inconsistent with the composition of early medieval gold artefacts (Harriet White pers. comm.).

In conclusion, while no direct early medieval parallel for the Bulworth ring is known, the metal composition and style are broadly consistent with examples dated to the early Anglo-Saxon period, and the form of the band can be likened to later Anglo-Saxon rings. On this basis and on balance of probability, the Bulworth ring may be tentatively dated to the broad Anglo-Saxon period.

Date: Sixth to ninth century

Conclusion:

The object is likely to fulfil the Treasure Act (1996) in that it is more than 300 years old and has a precious metal content exceeding 10%.

With thanks to colleagues Helen Geake, Harriet White and Judy Rudoe for their contributions to this report.

References:

Evison, V. I., 1987. Dover: The Buckland Anglo-Saxon Cemetery. London: Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

Hines, J. and Bayliss, A., 2013. Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th Centuries AD: A Chronological Framework. London: The Society for Medieval Archaeology. The Society for Early Medieval Archaeology Monograph 33

Malim, T. and Hines, J., 1998. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Edix Hill (Barrington A), Cambridgeshire: Excavations, 1989-1991 and a Summary Catalogue of Material from 19th Century Interventions. York: Council for British Archaeology

Parfitt, K., and Anderson, T., 2012. Buckland Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Dover. Excavations 1994. Canterbury: Canterbury Archaeological Trust

MacGregor, A. and Bolick, E., 1993. Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non- Ferrous Metals). Oxford: Archaeopress. BAR British Series 230

Webster, L. and Backhouse, J. (eds.), 1991. The Making of England. London: British Museum Press