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Description: | Treasure case 2004 T385b A find of four medieval finger-rings, all are fashioned in the closely similar form of a flattened band, three with a slightly concave profile (2004/T385b, 2004/T429, 2004/T430). Each is engraved with flowers and leaves and carries an amatory inscription: 2004/T385a This ring is slightly distorted but measures about 18mm in diameter. The height of the hoop is 4mm. It has two inscriptions; one on its external face, which reads as follows: mon cuer entier ('my whole heart') and one on the interior: mon est desr ('is my desire') The latter inscription is puzzling because of the confusing word order. 'Est mon desr' would be more logical, assuming 'desr' to be an abbreviation of 'desir'. 2004/T385b This ring measures 22mm in diameter and 6mm in height. It carries one inscription on its external face, which reads: mon cuer entier ('my whole heart') The repetition of the legend, combined with their respective sizes, may suggest that the two rings were originally a pair designed for a man and a woman. 2004/T429 This ring measures 17mm in diameter and 4mm in height. It has the following inscription: nul IB bien Again, this is puzzling. 'Nul ce bien' is a commonplace inscription meaning 'none so good/ none this good'. The phrase seems to have been personalized either with a monogram or with the initials of two lovers - 'I B'. It is probably intended to mean something along the lines of 'none so good as IB or I and B together'. 2004/T430 This ring is badly distorted. It measures 24mm in length and 5mm in height. Its inscription reads: + amer et servir (' to love and to serve'). All of the rings are gold and are of fifteenth century date. The four rings were found in close proximity; two together (2004/T385a&b) and two in the same spot at a later time (2004/T429; 2004/T430). Given their similarities, they are likely to be associated finds. The absence of any coins in the vicinity of the finds would seem to rule out the concealment of a hoard and the rings probably represent a multiple, casual loss.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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