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Description: | Treasure reference 2016 T652: a late medieval silver gilt finger ring. The hoop is circular in profile, and D-shaped in section. At the base of the hoop is a moulded diagonal ridge decorated with two incised lines, giving the effect that th hoop is twisted. Both shoulders are also decorated with a single moulded line which curves from the right side of the hoop and then runs down the centre down to the bezel. Again, this gives the impression that the hoop is twisted. Flanking the central rib on both shoulders are recessed cells in the form of springs of foliage. The bezel is sub-rectangular and formed by two large rectangular panels, with a narrower panel to either side. The side panels are concave, and each have a vertical moulded rib running top to bottom. The rib on the left is formed by a row of pellets, while that the right is a straight rib. The two central panels are etched to depict a scene, hence the designation of this ring as 'iconographic'. The panel on the left shows an adult figure from the waist upwards. The figure is nimate and wears a robe. The face is shown facing forwards, and the figure appears to have a long narrow chin. The figure has his or her right arm folded across the chest; the robe drapes diagonally below. The wrist appears to be raised upwards, and in the hand there appears to be a robe or cloth. A motif that resembles a child's face is seen in the top right corner. It is unclear if this is the christ-child, or is an angel. The scene might be that of the Virgin and child, but it is also possible it is a representation of St Christopher carrying the infant Jesus across the river.The right panel also shows a figure standing, facing, shown from the waist upwards. This figure has its right arm folded over the chest in a mirror image to the figure on the left. The wrist is also raised upwards and the robe drapes diagonally below it. The right arm is also shown across the chest, but this time is raised up towards the left shoulder. In his or her hand is what appears to be a staff with a spintered or multi-faceted top. This figure is also nimbate. The presence of a staff might indicate that this is St Christopher - the patron Saint of travellers, who was invoked against sudden death. However, above the figures right shoulder us an elongated object decorated, possibly, with two pairs of transverse lines. This possibly represents a tower, which would in turn suggest the figure is St Barbara.External diameter: 23mm. Internal diameter 19mm. Width of hoop at base: 4.5mm. Width of bezel: 10mm.The style of this finger ring relates to late medieval finger-rings which are often engraved with images of saints on bi- or tri-faceted bezels, known as iconographic. Finger rings of this type decorated with simple geometric or floral decoration can also be found such as GLO-A3DF57 and WILT-469F46.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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