MEDIEVAL FINGER RING

1400

Treasure case : 2010 T495Description: A complete gold iconographic finger ring of medieval date. The ring is highly elaborate with a narrow rectangular bezel featuring an engraved iconographic female figure, a rectangular bezel engraved with a representation of St Barbara holding a miniature tower. She is wearing drapery and there is a rectangular architectural feature in the left field. The area around her head and the architectural feature is cut away. The hoop is highly decorated with twelve contiguous raised lozenge shapes containing alternating pellets and stars. These shapes are recessed suggesting they were once filled most probably with coloured glass or enamel. These shapes appear to be infilled with an uncertain corrosion product possibly as a result of its deposition. In between the lozenges the hoop narrows and flares out again to the outer angles resulting in a wavering profile. The interior of the hoop is smooth and slightly rounded though undecorated.Discussion: A similar example can be seen on the PAS database: IOW-303137, Treasure Case 2010 T70. In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.Dimensions: Weight: 4.1 grams. 20.5mm x 5.3mm x 2.3mm.Reference: Treasure Annual Report 2009. Forthcoming. London: DCMS. 2010 T70.