FINGER RING

Treasure case 2016-T1074

Description: A cast gold finger ring with 'posy' inscription. The ring is 'D' shaped in cross section with a plain convex outer face and two parallel inscribes lines extending around the outer edges of the band. Around the inner band is inscribed the legend: "constancie is a noble vertue" (constancy is a noble virtue) in italic lettering; no makers mark is visible.

Dimensions and condition: The complete ring measures 17.94mm long, 15.4mm wide, and is 2.3mm high. The band is 0.6mm thick and weighs 0.9g. and is sub-circular in shape. It has been subject to severe post-depositional distortion.

Discussion: Oman (1974, 41) states that italic inscriptions generally replaced those of Roman capitals in the second quarter of the 17th century, until posy rings became unfashionable in the 19th century.

A posy ring with the same inscription, though notably the correct modern spelling of 'constancy', is held in the Spencer George Perceval Collection in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (http://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/46926), and listed in Evans (1933, 29). No date or period is listed in association with the ring.

The inscription is also present upon ring 1961,1202.351 in the British Museum collection, again with the modern spelling variation. Broadly dated from the 17th to 18th century, the ring is cross-referenced to PAS LON-CCECD2 (2016T748; a mourning ring) on the basis of the makers marks 'JH'. The inscription present on this latter ring firmly dates it 1701.

The use of florid lower-case italic lettering, and the spelling variations 'constancie' and 'vertue' indicates that this ring (DUR-A5ECF6) predates those listed above. Consequently, a mid-17th century date is suggested.