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Description: | Gold mourning ring with a d-shaped hoop. Inscribed to the inside 'Die to live eternally'; this is followed by a maker's mark - 'R' within an irregularly-shaped shield punch. The outside has been engraved with three skulls within oval borders; these are set at regular intervals around the band. Between these skulls is a pattern comprised of a cross-shaped centre with ornate terminals. Scrollwork flows from the crosses. Mourning rings were usually made in memory of a recently deceased relation. Often money was left in wills with which to have a ring commissioned for this purpose. The maker of the ring cannot be identified but according to A. Dove, a hallmarking expert, the punch has the characteristics of West Country marks, see T. Kent, West Country Silver Spoons and their Makers, 1550-1750 (1992). Such a provenance is consistent with the findspot. This exact inscription is not recorded by Evans (1931), although 'DYE · TO · LIVE · EVER' is noted (p33). A similar inscription is found on a ring within the British Museum collections: '+ DYE TO LIVE'. This artefact was reported under the 1996 Treasure Act.
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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