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FINGER RING
Unique ID: SOM-9B2633
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Treasure case 2018 T765: Disclaimed and returned to finder.
Description: Section of a silver gilt 'fede' finger ring. The section comprises the solid clasped hands flanked by rectangular cuffs. There are old breaks beyond the cuffs and any further design or inscription is lost. The fingers are picked out by incised lines and it is possible the cuffs also had simple vertical lines across them but the piece is highly worn obscuring these details. Gilding survives only in the recesses, particularly between the hands.
Dimensions: The fragment is now 18.4mm long, it is 6.9mm wide and 2.4mm thick; it weighs 1.78g.
Discussion: Fede (Italian meaning 'faith') rings were a popular love token from the 12th century and remained so well into 19th century. The hands joined symbolised the love and faith between two people. The design and square cuffs appear very similar to 2011 T729 (Burnett and Rudoe 2011) dated to the 16th to 17th centuries and also similar to, although not as decorative as 2011 T269 (Jackson 2011) dated to the 14th to 15th centuries.
Conclusion: The ring appears to consist of more than 10% precious metal and, on the balance of probabilities, is more than 300 years old, it thus qualifies as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.
Laura Burnett
Finds Liaison Officer for Somerset & Devon
November 2018
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2018T765
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 18.4 mm
Width: 6.9 mm
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 1.78 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st September 2018 - Sunday 30th September 2018
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2018T765
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Gilded
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Taunton Deane (District)
To be known as: Lydeard St Lawrence CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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