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Description: | Copper alloy finger-ring; a decade ring or rosary ring, probably dating from the 16th or 17th century AD. The bezel of the ring is engraved with the letters IHS ( a Greek abbreviation for Jesus), a cross and three arrow shapes which represent the three nails in Jesus's hands and feet.The ring is decorated wth ten other knobs. The diameter is 25mm, width 12mm and the weight is 10g.The decade ring takes its name from the fact that it has ten knobs to help in counting prayers, similar to (but more discreet than) a rosary. Rosaries were forbidden in England and Wales by a statute of 1571, but the act does not mention decade rings. They continued to be made until at least the 18th century for use by Roman Catholics. A similar ring with IHS, a cross and an arrow engraved on the bezel is on the PAS database at DUR-1B73E3.
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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