Rights Holder: Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service
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Unique ID: ESS-819556
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Gold finger ring with chased inscription on inner band. The band is D shaped in section.
The inscription is in English and reads * LOVE . TO . BE . LOVED ED. The script is stylistically similar to inscriptions known from the 16th century. In general Roman capitals began to be used for inscriptions on posy rings from the mid-16th century, italics becoming more popular by the mid-17th century (Oman, C. (1974). British rings 800-1914 p. 40 - 41). There is no maker's mark.
Dimensions: Weight: 3.46g, outer diameter: 19.7mm, band width: 5.1mm, band thickness: 0.8mm
Similar examples of posy rings with roman capital inscriptions can be found on the database and have been declared Treasure. See LANCUM-AC5027, SUSS-C86B41, NMS-EE2A25. These examples were all dated to the 16th century.
Notes:
Conclusion: In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 - Subject to Coroner's Inquest
Class:
POSY
Inscription:
* LOVE . TO . BE . LOVED ED.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2017T257
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 0.8 mm
Weight: 3.46 g
Diameter: 19.7 mm
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Treasure case number: 2017T257
Primary material: Gold
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
No references cited so far.