TREASURE ANNU AL REPORT 2005/6 - Portable Antiquities Scheme

(IV) EAR-sCoops
396. Calbourne, Isle of Wight: medieval silver-gilt
ear-scoop and spatula (2006 T623)
Date: 14th century
Discovery: Found by Mr G Leng while metal-detecting
in December 2006.
Description: A silver-gilt ear-scoop and spatula, bent,
with a twisted shank, sub-rectangular in section.
The scoop is elongated, the spatula leaf-shaped with
several oblique linear inscribed marks which appear to
be accidental damage. The majority of the gilding has
worn off. Length (if straightened): 68.0mm;
weight: 3.14g.
Discussion: For similar toilet implements see Egan &
Pritchard (1991), nos. 1758–1760.
Disposition: Isle of Wight Museum Service.
F BASFORD
397. markyate, hertfordshire:
medieval silver ear-scoop (2006 T53)
Date: Probably 15th century
Discovery: Found by Mr M Coles while metal-detecting
in January 2006.
Description: An ear-scoop with S-twisted shank, made
from silver sheet and hammered into a scoop at one
end, and with a flat pointed tip at the other, perhaps
intended for cleaning the nails. This object is very
similar to example from London; see Egan & Pritchard
(1991), no. 1759. Length: 63mm.
Disposition: Dacorum Museum had hoped to acquire
but withdrew; returned to finder.
D THORNTON
398. East of Colchester, Essex: 14th-century silver
ear-scoop and toothpick (2006 T173)
pAs ID: Ess-E842F2
Found by Mr R Garcia while metal-detecting in March
2006; disclaimed, to be returned to finder.
J P ROBINSON
399. Rolleston, Nottinghamshire: 14th–16thcentury
silver ear-scoop and toothpick/nail-cleaner
(2005 T344) pAs ID: DENo-879FC1
Found by Mr W French while metal-detecting in June
2005; disclaimed, returned to finder.
B NENK
(V) FINGER-RINGs
400. highnam, Gloucestershire: medieval silver
finger-ring (2005 T511)
Date: 12th century
Discovery: Found by Ms K Hurcombe while metaldetecting
in August 2005.
Description: A Medieval finger-ring formed of a flat
band with a tapering profile. The band is decorated with
three panels engraved with crosses, separated grooves.
The ring is slightly distorted but measures about 20mm
in diameter. The recesses in the design may have once
been filled with niello, though none seems to survive.
Disposition: Gloucester City Museum.
J P ROBINSON
401. Easingwold area, North yorkshire:
medieval gold finger-ring (2005 T380)
Date: 12th century
Discovery: Found by Mr N Jones while metal-detecting
in August 2005.
Description: A Medieval finger-ring, consisting of a
simple flat band and a hexagonal bezel, which is set
with a purple stone, probably a garnet. The bezel is
supported by a grooved ridge to either side.
Disposition: Yorkshire Museum had hoped to acquire
but withdrew; returned to finder.
J P ROBINSON
402. Dunterton, Devon:
medieval gold finger-ring (2005 T206)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Mr C Alee while metal-detecting
in April 2005.
Description: A Medieval gold finger-ring set with a
large irregularly shaped sapphire in a tall bezel, a single
rib on either side of the bezel at the junction with the
hoop. The hoop is of circular section. Surface analysis
indicated a gold content of approximately 87% and
confirmed the nature of the gemstone. Diameter:
24mm; weight: 5.6g.
Disposition: Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.
B NENK
403. marshwood, Dorset: medieval gold finger-ring
(2006 T294)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Mr C Lamb while metal-detecting
in May 2006.
Description: A finger-ring of stirrup shape, the hoop
slightly distorted and abraded along its edges. The
ring is set with a roughly rectangular sapphire, held
in place by two claws. Length: 25mm: width: 20mm.
Surface analysis indicated gold and silver contents of
approximately 73–76% and 16–18% respectively, and
confirmed the gemstone.
Disposition: Dorset County Museum hopes to acquire.
J P ROBINSON
404. belton, North Lincolnshire:
medieval gold finger-ring (2005 T394)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Ms J Wordsworth while metaldetecting
in September 2005.
Description: A Medieval gold stirrup-shaped fingerring,
set with a sapphire. Dimensions: 21 x 28mm;
weight: 6.48g. Surface analysis indicated a gold
content of approximately 81–85% and confirmed the
gemstone.
Discussion: Similar rings have been found at
West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (Treasure Annual Report
1998–1999, no. 110), and at Norton, North Yorkshire
(Treasure Annual Report 2000, no. 98).
Disposition: North Lincolnshire Museum had hoped to
acquire but withdrew; returned to finder.
B NENK
405. marsham, Norfolk: medieval gold finger-ring
(2005 T203)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Mr A Matthewson while metaldetecting
in April 2005.
Description: A Medieval finger-ring set with a sapphire.
It has suffered considerable damage, the hoop now
distended. The form is a decorated stirrup shape,
with two four-petalled flowers forming the shoulders
and two others symmetrically decorating the hoop.
The damage to the ring has removed much of the
inscription, which would have covered the external
face of the hoop. The traces of some letters can be
discerned. They read as follows: ……V… R(?)DEFIN (the
‘N’ is reversed). The original meaning of the inscription
cannot be established.
Disposition: Disclaimed, returned to finder.
J P ROBINSON
406. Ewell, surrey: medieval silver-gilt finger-ring
(2005 T93)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: A chance surface find by Mr S Ward in
February 2005.
Description: Silver-gilt finger-ring of a type commonly
known as a stirrup ring. The hoop of the ring, which
is now slightly distorted, is decorated with engraved
lozenges and part-lozenges, each infilled with annular
punches. The grooves between the lozenges are filled
with an inlay of niello (silver sulphide), some of which
is now missing, which would have appeared as a darker
grey band. The ring has a prominent rounded setting of
either garnet or amethyst. External diameter: 20.5mm;
weight 2.24g.
Discussion: Rings of this general form were common
in the 13th century, especially in non-precious metals.
Examples with such complicated decoration are much
more unusual.
Disposition: Bourne Hall Museum, Ewell, had hoped to
acquire but withdrew; returned to finder.
D WILLIAMS
407. bexhill area, East sussex:
medieval gold finger-ring (2005 T214)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Mr W Piggott while metaldetecting
in April 2005.
Description: A Medieval finger-ring formed of a simple
hoop and set with a triangular, shield-shaped stone.
The stone is deep blue, heavily scratched, and may be a
sapphire or glass. Diameter: 20mm.
Disposition: Bexhill Museum.
J P ROBINSON
408. Lewes area, East sussex:
medieval gold finger-ring (2005 T215)
Date: 13th century
Discovery: Found by Mr C Chapman while metaldetecting
in April 2005.
Description: A Medieval gold finger-ring, the hoop
distorted, with a bezel of trapezoidal shape set with
a sapphire. The slender hoop is of D-shaped section,
with zigzag and punched decoration at the shoulders.
Weight: 1.47g. Surface analysis indicated a gold content
of approximately 82% and confirmed the gemstone.
Disposition: Barbican House Museum, Lewes, had
hoped to acquire but withdrew; returned to finder.
B NENK
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