|
Date: |
|
Description: | Cast copper alloy gilt finger ring of probable later medieval or post-medieval date (1400-1700). The finger ring is constructed from a single sheet of copper alloy, which has been looped and joined to make the hoop of the ring. The cross section of the ring is D shaped. The ring measures 20.1 mm diameter, 5.3mm width, it is 2.3mm thick, and has an internal diameter of 16.8mm. It weighs 3.12 grams. The external face of the ring has a deeply incised repeating floral motif. This pattern consists of a series of short well executed curvi-linear lines, which interlock and form a series of leaf and (possibly) a flower bud. The pattern is repeated six times. The external face is also gilt, however, this surface treatment only survives in the deeper incised lines. The internal face is undecorated. There are, however, a series of stamped letters. Each of these letters is within a square stamp (which measures 1.2mm x 1.2mm) and the inscription reads either O D B or O D E. The reason for the uncertainty is due to the wear on the ring and also the large amount of corrosion around the area of the letters. The finger ring has an even mid-brown green patina with several areas of light green active corrosion. This corrosion masks some of the decoration and also the stamps on the internal face of the ring. The gilt on the external face of the ring has been worn and now only survives in the deeper incised decoration.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|