File:Finger ring (bezel) (FindID 832392).jpg

English: Silver gilt finger ring with a moulded bezel in the form of a multi-lobed cross with eight raised granules around a central cross with equal pointed arms within a diamond-shaped border. On the opposite end of the hoop are a moulded pair of clasped hands with incised fingers and moulded transverse cuffs, typical of a fede or 'faith' ring. The decorative device of two hands clasped in love and trust is found all over Europe, on brooches, and on rings, such as this example. As the clasping of hands was part of the medieval betrothal ceremony, it is not surprising to find rings decorated like this, although it is impossible now to be certain exactly whether they commemorated friendship, love, betrothal or marriage. These clasped hands would not have been seen, except by the wearer, as this part of the hoop would have been on the inside of the finger. Between the cuffs and the bezel, on the outer face of each side of the hoop, are pairs of engraved foliate fronds that emanate from a central sprig. Very little of the gilding survives but more may be contained within the surface accretion which is black and may be caused by waste and slag from the nearby smelting works mixing with the silver oxide.

Oman (1974) illustrates a similar gilt silver finger ring with a heart-shaped bezel on the front of the hoop and clasped hands on the back in plate 55, fig.H, which is dated from the 15th century on page 110, but this is a love rings and not religious like this example with a cross on the bezel.

Campbell (2009) illustrates a fede ring with similar clasped hands, and some decoration on the sides of the hoop (V&A: 846-1871) which cannot be determined from the image, on page 95, pl.108, which is dated from c.1350-1400.

Other silver gilt finger rings with clasped hands on one side of the hoop and moulded or incised crosses on the other have been recorded in <a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/567023" title="View details for HAMP-C1EEB7">HAMP-C1EEB7</a> and <a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/494686" title="View details for SUR-8507E2">SUR-8507E2</a>, which are dated from the later Medieval period.