POST MEDIEVAL FINGER RING

1600

A Post Medieval copper alloy finger-ring, dating to the 17th century. The object is formed of a single rectangular piece of copper alloy which has been bent to form a ring and soldered at the ends. The decoration on the outer face of the ring is formed by both punching and engraving. The punched decoration may have held enamel or some other setting. This particular example has been squashed so that it is no longer circular. It has a mid-brown pattination across the surface.The decoration consists of repeated motifs that are formed of three irregular shapes that appear to form a twisted rope style of decoration. There are grooves within the recesses which suggest there was some form of setting or enamel, with the grooves used for grip. Between each twisted rope decoration are engraved dots following the line of the punched design. These designs are all running diagonally. A similar example can be found in the British Museum collections (AF.1531). The example in the British Museum is a mourning ring made of gold and dating to the 17th century. The decoration is similar but molded rather than formed from recesses for enamelling or settings. There is also no engraved dot decoration. The style is identical however, with this example likely being of a similar date.Dimensions: diameter (when squashed): 24.89 mm; thickness: 1.06 mm; weight: 1.19g.