FINGER RING

Description: A simple gold finger ring of probable Post-Medieval date. The ring has a shallow, D-shaped cross section, 0.5mm thick. Although now slightly deformed, the hoop would originally have had an extremely small diameter, and now survives to the length of 15.1mm and a width of 13.9mm. The band is 2.6mm wide. The exterior surface of the ring is plain, whilst the interior is crudely inscribed: "A FrenD TiLL DeAtH". The "I" in "till" was seemingly mis-inscribed, and resembles a zig-zagging tail of the "T". All capitals are serifed and the ring features no maker's or hall marks. The ring weighs 0.67g.

Discussion: Similarly plain, small gold finger rings are often reported through the Treasure process and are typically dated to between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. See, for example, PAS-3B5388 (2009T371), although they can potentially be earlier: see WMID-AF96D7 (2013T412). The unusual and crude style of the inscription and lack of any maker's or hall marks makes it difficult to suggest a date for this artefact with much certainty. However a ring with a similar message "Yours louinge Frend Till deth us end" in the collection of the British Museum (registration number 1961,1202.114) bears a maker's mark associated with one of two William Dobsons of Lewes. The more recent William Dobson is recorded as active after 1650. In addition to expressing the same sentiment as this ring, the Tatworth & Forton ring features the same misspelling of 'Frend' and has a similar script, in particular the rendering of the "r" and "n".

Conclusion: The ring appears to consist of over 10% precious metal and on balance of probability was more than 300 years old at the time of finding, as such it appears to qualify as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Wil Partridge
Finds Liaison Officer for Devon & Somerset

Ian Richardson
Treasure Registrar, British Museum