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FINGER RING
Unique ID: SUR-D0CDD0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A gold gem-set ring of medieval date with an inscribed hoop, which has become distorted, most likely by post-depositional damage. The bezel is constructed from gold sheet and is hollow and rectangular, measuring 10.27mm by 10.1mm and 4mm thick, with a sub-rectangular cross section. It is flanked by a pair of small flanges decorated with a ridged pattern of small parallel lines. The stone itself is sub-rectangular and has a heavily abraded surface; this damage in the absence of any mechanical abrasion to the gold suggests geochemical erosion and that the material is amber.
The hoop, which has an internal diameter of around 16.8mm, is of rectangular cross section around 0.8mm thick and narrows from 2,5mm to 1.7mm in width on the opposite side to the bezel. A legend is inscribed around the outside in lombardic script and reads SI ESTRE ∙ I PVIS ∙ PARTIR ∙ NON ∙ AVIS ∙ VALETE, which is likely a French proverbial motto translating something like "Thus to be and then to part is not worthy of (good) opinion" (Malcolm Jones, pers. com), or alternatively ‘if we are parted, this has no value/is worthless’.
Diameter: 20.6 mm, Width (of bezel): 10.27 mm, Weight: 3.05 g.
Notes:
Similar Medieval gem-set rings with rectangular bezels are published in Oman (1974, plate 13E & 14D) and dated to the 12th century. The style of the lettering on this example suggests a date between the mid-12th to mid-14th century and is comparable to that on other Medieval rings reported under the 1996 Treasure Act, such as YORYM-0A0FD2 (2015 T74).
The ring is comprised of precious metal and is over 300 years old at the time of finding. Consequently, it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of age and precious metal content.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance
Class:
Gem
Inscription:
SI ESTRE ∙ I PVIS ∙ PARTIR ∙ NON ∙ AVIS ∙ VALETE
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2019T1043
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Width: 10.27 mm
Weight: 3.05 g
Diameter: 20.6 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 10th November 2019
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2019T1043
Materials and construction
Primary material: Gold
Secondary material: Gem
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Sussex (County)
District: Chichester (District)
Parish or ward: Eartham (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU9308
Four figure Latitude: 50.86403794
Four figure longitude: -0.6798826
1:25K map: SU9308
1:10K map: SU90NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oman, C. | 1974 | British Rings 800-1914 | London | Harper Collins |
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Timeline of associated dates
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