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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy signet ring, dating to the 15th century AD (outside diameter of loop: 26mm; thickness of loop at thinnest point: 3mm; length of bezel: 11.5mm; width of bezel: 9.5mm; weight: 7.05g). The ring has an octagonal and slightly rounded bezel with a probable initial letter 'R' in high relief. The semi-circular D-sectioned hoop rises to the bezel with anhular side arms. The ring is in a slightly worn but fair condition with a dark green patina, and has areas of bronze disease particularly at the bottom of the hoop, as well as some patches near the bezel. Similar examples are illustrated in John Cherry's 'Rings' in Saunders' 'Slaisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Part I', pages 40-6, ref nos 19 & 20, found near Wilton and an unknown location respectively. Both are dated to the 15th century AD with the initial 'R' also in the bezel. Other examples from the same article include the initial letters 'I', 'T', 'D' and 'W' in the bezel. Signet rings were used for impressing wax seals for attachment to documents and letters. Signet rings with initial letters on the bezel probably refer to the initial of the Christian name of the owner such as John ('I'), Richard ('R'), Thomas ('T') or William ('W'), although names such as Thomas and John also used 'R', making it difficult to specify (Cherry, page 40). | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 1400
1500 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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