A gold finger ring with intaglio. The hoop is formed by two strands of gold, both rectangular in section, and which are decorated with globules of gold spaced evenly around the edges and also along the space between the strands. A pointed oval or heart-shaped applique of gold decorates both shoulders of the hoop; in both instances the pointed oval points down the hoop; they appear to have been settings for enamel; traces of a bluish-grey friable material remains in one of them but this has largely been removed by degradation and / or cleaning after recovery. The surviving material was analysed using XRF and found to have a composition consistent with it being glass. On the exterior edges of these two strands there is a raised outer strip suggestive of a separately applied twisted or beaded wire. However under magnification it does not appear clearly separate from the strand below and the beaded effect may have been achieved by tooling. The bezel is oval at the base and flares gently upwards to form a wider oval rim. It has a flat back in the form of a separate oval sheet with pointed ends that has been soldered onto the sides of the collet and overlaps the interior of the hoop.

The bezel contains a domed green gem, identified by XRF and Raman spectroscopy as a chrome chalcedony. The gem is translucent and contains small black inclusions. The gem is decorated with an engraved figure standing right. The head faces right, and traces of a line extending diagonally across the head are suggestive of a laurel-wreath. Behind the figure, extending above the right shoulder, are three 'V' shaped notches set vertically. This motif resembles a branch, but equally could be a crude depiction of a caduceus. A small engraved crescent extends from the waist area in front of the figure, possibly representing a coin purse.

Discussion:

Dr Ian Marshman has suggested that the engraving is probably meant to be Apollo or Mercury. In terms of date the style of engraving would suggest late second to early third century; it is comparable to the second century gems from the Snettisham jeweller's hoard (ref). It is likely therefore, that if this is a Roman gem it has been re-used in a later setting (cf the re-use of an engraved gem in a jewellery clasp from Ashwell, Hertfordshire, BM 2003,0901.7) and the proximity of the design to the edge of the bezel might suggest that it has been recut.

A precise Roman parallel for the hoop has not been found but a late Roman date seems likely for this finger ring. The metal composition is also consistent with a late Roman or early Byzantine date, being comparable to finger rings in the Thetford hoard (Johns and Potter 1983). While openwork rings are known from the Roman period they generally tend to be constructed by cutting a solid hoop (opus intarsile, for example BM 1980,1001.1) or separate pieces of wire (for example a finger ring from the Thetford hoard, BM 1981,0201.18) as do early Medieval / Byzantine examples (for example BM 1912,0521.1) (Dr. Sue Brunning pers. comm.). A similar pattern of granulation on the hoop of a ring thought to date to the early medieval period (BM AF.479) is combined with a solid hoop. Regularly spaced granulation within an open hoop is an unusual technique; the closest parallel found for this particular effect is a fourth century finger ring from Rome with an engraved bezel and granulation between a band of three wires (Hindman 2007, 30). For beaded wire around a gem setting see BM 1856,0701.801, a late Roman ring from London. The early medieval ring recorded on the PAS database no. FAKL-6C1815 has triangular enamel-filled cells on the shoulders combined with granulation but a solid hoop; the heart-shaped motif can also be seen in LON-3478C7. Both these finger rings are tentatively dated to the 9^th century AD.

References:

Hindman, S. 2007. Toward an Art History of Medieval Rings: A private collection. London, Paul Holberton.

Johns, C. and Potter, T. 1983. The Thetford Treasure. Roman Jewellery and Silver. London, British Museum Press.

Johns, C. 1997. The Snettisham Roman Jeweller's Hoard. London, British Museum Press.

Measurements

The hoop currently measures 23mm in length, and 3mm in width. The bezel measures 8 x 6 x 3mm. Weight: 2.32g.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this object constitutes a prima facie case of Treasure, as it is a precious metal object over 300 years old.