File:Post Medieval, Finger Ring (FindID 189933-350856).jpg

Date: Probably Post Medieval 16th - 17th Century

Description: The hoop of the silver finger-ring is oval in plan; being distorted from a probable circle by both wear and also movement in the ploughsoil. The finger-ring is broadly lentoid in cross section. The upper and lower edges are slightly faceted. The external face of the finger-ring has been damaged by abrasion, however, the decorative design and style is relatively complete. The decoration has been created by the use of neillo (a silver oxide paste) which has been applied to small lentoid shaped groves which have been incised into the surface of the ring by hand. The applied neillo surface would have originally been black (but has now corroded to a light grey colour). This would have created a contrast between the silver body of the finger-ring. The design itself is relatively uneven and of poor craftsmanship.

The upper face of the ring is decorated with a different pattern to the lower. The motif on the upper side of the finger-ring consists of a repeating pattern comprising a series of saltire shaped crosses (formed by four incised diagonal lines) bordered by a number of vertical lines.

This pattern repeats twice with two groups of crosses bordered by the vertical lines (XXXX ||||||||| XXXX ||||||||||||). All would have originally been filled with neillo, but much of this has been lost through abrasion. The design on the lower face is similar in its asymmetrical appearance but is made up of a series of diagonal lines which make up an irregular repeating pattern (// \\ // \\ //// \\\\ /// \\\\ // \\ // \\ /// \\\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\).

There are no distinguishing makers marks, stamps, or hall-marks on any surface of the ring. Discussion A direct parallel for this finger-ring has not been found. However, the style, shape, and use of neillo is similar to a silver finger ring discovered at Brookshill, Shropshire in 2004 (Treasure Case 2004-T493). This example was analysed by the British Museum and found to contain a silver content 95% (Ager, 2006, 137).

Dimensions: The hoop of the finger-ring measures 26.5mm x 22.6mm, it is 1.9mm wide, is 2.3mm thick and weighs 1.93 grams.

Metal Content I believe that the precious metal content (silver) of this finger-ring fulfils the requirements of the Treasure Act (1996) in that it is greater than 10%.

References: Ager, B. 2006: 'Post-Medieval silver finger-ring (2004-T493)' in Treasure Annual Report 2006, DCMS 2006. Peter Reavill Finds Liaison Officer: Portable Antiquities Scheme August 2007