FINGER RING

An early post-medieval gold finger-ring with a gemstone setting, dating to c. 1500-1600. The ring has a heptagonal bezel set with a clear/ grey gemstone, possibly rock crystal, cut in the shape of a tear-drop. From the base of the bezel, on the two opposing long sides, is a flat semi-circular projection which is decorated with carved decoration in the form of a fleur-de-lis-like motif with central bud and crescent-leaves on either side. The crescents are inlaid with white enamel with both green and white enamel traces on the bud. Behind the crescent a triangle joins it to the central stem; this is inlaid with blue enamel. The base of the triangle creates a horizontal line beneath which are two small back-to-back crescents; on one side this retains white enamel while any enamel is lost to the other side. The top edge of the crescent is crenelated with two concaves either side of a central point. This extends into the side wall of the bezel which is undecorated sheet gold.
Of the shorter ends of the bezel, both have crenelated edges below sheet-metal walls. The wider end has a further semi-circular projection with the same fleur-de-lis motif and traces of enamelling, but is slightly smaller in size. At the opposite 'pointed' end of the bezel is an even smaller semi-circular projection depicting a fleur-de-lis with white crescent leaves above a crescent retaining green enamel.
The shoulders scroll to the reverse and forwards just below the bezel, with an additional central forward-scrolling element at the centre of each. The edges of the scrolls retain a green enamel. Extending outwards from the smaller scroll is a tri-lobed projection. Underneath this there are three crescent motifs, each reducing in size. The first and third crescent are inlaid with white enamel and the second crescent is inlaid with blue enamel (lost to one side). Underneath the last crescent is a thin rectangular area which has traces of blue enamel on one side of the hoop.
The hoop itself is circular in cross-section and has been bent inwards at the back of the hoop. It measures 1.4mm in diameter at the back, expanding to 1.9mm below the shoulders.
The finger-ring measures 20.7mm in height and 22.4mm in width. It is max.9.5mm wide at the bezel and 7.0mm tall. The gemstone measures 6.7x5.3mm. The object weighs 4.45g.

Discussion: The finger-ring conforms to a well-known 16th century type. See for example O.M. Dalton's 1912 Catalogue of the Finger Rings from the Frank's Bequest, now in the British Museum, pages 270-274, in particular catalogue number 1944.