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Description: | A complete copper-alloy finger ring, dating from the Late Medieval to early post-Medieval periods.The bezel consists of a disc, into the flat upper surface of which has been incised a heavily stylised letter, probably an 'R', albeit executed the wrong way round. From the left hand side of the letter projects a four-stranded point, which may be a letter 'W'. To the left of this is a pair of short palm frond motifs, with two possible further such motifs above the 'R'; to the right is a single, longer frond whose curvature reflects the shape of the bezel. A thin circular ridge extends around the circumference of the bezel. The hoop is of 'D-shaped' section and of equal width and thickness throughout. The line of the hoop continues across the flat back of the bezel, above which it stands proud. This is a large finger ring, measuring 28mm across the widest point of the hoop and 27.1mm deep (bezel to back of hoop). The bezel is 13.8mm high. The ring weighs 6.79g.Signet rings bearing letters, often flanked by palm fronds, appear to have been popular in the Late Medieval to early post-Medieval periods. Three similar rings from Salisbury are illustrated by Cherry (in Saunders and Saunders eds 1991: 42-43/fig. 12, nos. 21-23), all being of suggested late 15th to early 16th century date. Close parallels are also held in the British Museum collection (cf. Dalton 1912: no. 449).
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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