FINGER RING

A complete, post Medieval, gold 'posy' finger ring, AD.1600-1720, inscribed Content to Consent. The ring has a decorated exterior to the band and an inscription on the interior. The exterior decoration is made up of a repeating pattern of lozenges bisected by a saltire to form smaller cells, each filled with white enamel. Between the lozenges there is an oval space with a cross fleury with a single pellet in each angle. The pattern does not fit the band correctly however, there are three enamelled lozenges and one of the oval spaces is double sized with two crosses set within it. There is a flower set between the two crosses. All of the decoration is done in relief making the outside textured. The interior is smooth and undecorated except for the inscription. The inscription is in italic script and reads Content to consent. The S in consent is in the form of a long f.

A similar inscription can be found on SWYOR-F4AAE1, which reads No Content to your Consent.The meaning behind the inscription on the ring discussed here is suggestive of it being an engagement ring. The white enamelling on the exterior is similar to that found on the rings and jewellery in the Cheapside hoard. The date of the hoard as late 16th - early 17th century, may suggest a similar 17th century range for the object. An example in the British Museum collection (1961,1202.92) has the inscription With one consent wee rest content and there are a number of others with inscriptions in a similar theme, however, they are all plain D shaped bands unlike this example.

Width: 3.65mm
Thickness: 0.96mm
Weight: 1.36g
Diameter: 18.44mm