Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
CC License:
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
Unique ID: SOM-FD22DD
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete late Medieval to Post-Medieval copper alloy finger ring, probably dating to c. AD 1400-1600. The ring has a flat, sub-rectangular bezel, the outer edge of which has been incised to create a slightly proud, central oval boss. Into this is incised a crude figurative depiction of a saint or apostle. The head is is indicated by an oval depression, widening at the top to create the impression of hair and with a central groove for the nose. Below this is a deeply cut torso, holding up an incised square left, possibly a book, and with a diagonal line, from which extends 3 short perpendicular lines, draped over their shoulder, right, possibly a palm of martyrdom. Below the body is a downwards pointing feathered section which may imply a robe. From the bezel the hoop narrows gradually, reaching its narrowest point at the bottom. The hoop has a circular profile (although interupted by the line of the bezel) and is D-shaped in cross section, with a flat internal edge. Both it and the shoulders are unmarked.
Diameter: 24.5mm, Thickness at Bezel: 2.3mm, Thickness of shoulders: 2.4mm, Thickness of hoop: 1.3mm, Width at Bezel: 9.3mm, Width at narrowest point of hoop: 3.1mm, Weight: 5.01g.
Although what is depicted on the bezel is very different, in its form and fairly crude, deeply incised decoration this finger ring closely resembles late Medieval and early Post-Medieval signet rings, a number of examples of which are recorded onto the PAS database (e.g. GLO-D84FB9, BH-CA395D) and with further examples illustrated by Cherry (2001: 45-46, nos. 16-19). These rings are typically dated to the 15th and 16th centuries, and a similar date range is suggested here. Finger rings with incised depictions of Bishops are also recorded onto the PAS database: LVPL99 and SUSS-F29BE7, the latter with an earlier 14th century date range.
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Exactly AD 1400
Date to: Exactly AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Width: 9.3 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 5.01 g
Diameter: 24.5 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st July 2016 - Thursday 16th February 2017
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference: SCC receipt: 017337
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cherry, J. | 1991 | Rings |