Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
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Unique ID: SOM-D01838
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published
Treasure case 2017 T299: Disclaimed, returned to finder
Description: A gold finger ring of likely medieval date. The integral circular hoop is largely plain, with a significant dent in one side, obscuring the original diameter. The cross section is broadly D-shaped, with a flat internal surface, though becoming increasingly rounded towards the base of the hoop. In width, the hoop tapers from 2.4mm just below the elaborated shoulders to 1.1mm at the base of the hoop, in thickness the hoop reduces from 1.2mm below the shoulders to 0.9mm at the base. The shoulders bifurcate, with the resulting branches forming backwards facing scrolls, defined internally by incised lines. Between the two branches of the shoulder is a small circular element which stands in slight relief from the hoop. The shoulders are 4.7mm wide and 1.8mm thick.
The ring has a circular collet projecting from a sub-rectangular bezel. The underside of the bezel is decorated, with a central incised circle filled with irregular transverse peck marks. On the sides from which the hoop expands further incised lines radiate outwards from the edge of the circle to the edge of the bezel. The collet is circular in plan and tapers from the base to a central waist in profile, resulting in a shape which resembles two stacked trapezes. The collet retains an unidentified grey/white stone, which has been worked to leave an extremely even central domed projection. The bezel is 4.8mm thick, including the stone, 7.4mm in length and 6.8mm wide. Overall the ring is 22.4mm long and 17.5mm wide, it features no maker's marks or hallmarks.
Dimensions: 17.5mm across the hoop, 6.8mm wide including the bezel. Total weight: 1.98g.
Discussion: Oman (1974) suggests how similarly plain gold finger rings with inset bezels and little to no decoration were typical of the 12th to 14th centuries, with them becoming increasingly elaborate through the late Medieval period and into the Post-Medieval period. No exact parallels have been found, however the relative simplicity of the ring, combined with the degree to which the stone has been worked (earlier gems typically being uneven and with working limited to polishing) may suggest a Medieval or early post-Medieval date.
The finger ring appears to consist of over 10% precious metal and be over 300 years old at the time of finding and as such qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Wil Partridge
Finds Liaison Officer for Devon and Somerset
June 2017
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2017T299
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Quantity: 1
Width: 6.8 mm
Weight: 1.98 g
Diameter: 17.5 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 19th March 2017 - Sunday 19th March 2017
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Treasure case number: 2017T299
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Gem
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oman, C. | 1974 | British Rings 800-1914 | London | Harper Collins |