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Description: | An irregular fragment from the bezel and shoulder of a gem set (intaglio) finger-ring; it is irregular in profile, broadly sub-rectangular in plan and D shaped in cross section. The fragment has been distorted by movement in the soil; both breaks are relatively fresh, although one (across the hoop) is more worn. The break across the bevel of the ring reveals the cross section of the gem (lost) which has a flat base and slightly curved (or dished) sides. From what remains of the setting it is suggested that the shape of the gem or stone was oval in plan. The outer edges of the stone setting are feathered suggesting that the stone was held by a slight lip of silver; there is no evidence for other material, such as an organic adhesive, in the setting. The shoulder of the finger- ring stays at a constant width to the bezel, tapering towards the break slightly. The overall shape of the ring in plan (whether circular or D shaped) cannot be suggested due to the recent damage. The metal is a mid grey colour with a tarnished black patina consistent with silver artefacts. On the break across the bezel a white coloured powdery crystalline corrosion product (metallic salt) is present; this would suggest that the silver is alloyed with another metal, in this case possibly lead.
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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