|
Date: |
|
Description: | Treasure Case 2012-T906: Specialist Report Kings Caple, Herefordshire. Silver Gilt Finger RingDate: Post Medieval (1500 - 1700 AD)Date of discovery: May 2012Circumstances of discovery: Found whilst searching with a metal detectorDescription:A complete relatively robust silver gilt finger ring. In plan the ring is near circular whilst in cross section it is D shaped. The ring is cast; the external edge is formed from 15 lobes, domes or pearls. The division between each lobe is an irregular relatively shallow U shaped channel. The inner surface of the hoop is plain and flat - there is a circumferential scar at the mid point of the internal hoop where the casting flashes have been removed and the residue hammered flat. The surface of the finger-ring is a grey purplish colour. A yellow gilt surface is present within the grooves on the external face - this also survives partially on the internal hoop.Metal Analysis:The finger-ring was tested using a portable XRF machine by Deborah Magnoler of the Department of Conservation, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The analysis showed the ring to be formed of:Gold 10.12%Silver 86.04%Copper 0.97 %Zinc 0.00%Mercury 2.19%Iron 0.67%Dimensions:Diameter: 23.9mm, height 5.1mm, thickness 2.7mm, weight; 6.58 gramsDiscussion and Dating:This finger ring can be compared with similar designed gold finger rings often withi inscriptions on their internal hoops reported under the Treasure Act (1996). Specifically: 2004-T353 from Billericay, Essex, 2012-T68 from North Ferriby Yorkshire and 2004-T378 from Tannington, Suffolk. All these are dated to the post medieval period - specifically the 16th and 17th centuries AD*. A further example is illustrated in Oman (1974 p112 / Cat No 59: A; ref Dalton: 1150) which is described as a Posie Ring with a pearled hoop of the 17th Century. These dates are substantiated by the metal analysis which shows surface traces of Mercury - which is used during the gilding process / fire gilding (Blair and Ramsay: 1991: 132)References:Blair J and Ramsay, N 1991: English Medieval Industries. LondonDownes A and Rudoe J 2012: ' A gold post Medieval Finger ring from North Ferriby, Yorkshire (SWYOR-6A6A21 / 2012T68)http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/485173McDonald C and Rudoe J 2004: ' A gold Finger ring from Ballericay, Essex (ESS-EDA7E6 / 2004-T353)http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/127227Minter F. 2004: A gold Finger-ring from Tannington, Suffolk (SF-4DEE72 / 2004 T378)http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/78418*NB: In the Treasure Annual Report for 2004, this is given a broader date range of 16th-18th century in view of the lower case inscription and absence of maker's mark.Oman, C. 1974: British Rings; 800 - 1914. LondonAuthorPeter Reavill - Portable Antiquities SchemeDecember 2012
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
FINGER RING
Treasure Case 2012-T228: Specialist Report…
-
FINGER RING
Treasure Case 2012-T667: Specialist Report…
-
-
FINGER RING
Treasure Case 2011-T263: Specialist Report…
-
COIN
A silver deanrius dating to…
-
-
-
-
-
|