UKDFD Recording Software

Finger Ring

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:46:42 GMT

Description:		A large copper-alloy finger ring of uniform, shallow D-shaped cross-section. The external surface is decorated overall with a crudely executed pattern of variously orientated oblique grooves.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Memento Mori Ring

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:55:56 GMT

Description:		A gold memento mori finger ring of the late 17th century. The ring is of shallow D-shaped cross-section with a human skull engraved on part of the outside surface. The inside of the hoop is inscribed, J : J : ob : 20 : Jan : 80 (see Comments below), identifying the deceased by his or her initials and giving the date of death as 20th January [16]80. The inscription is followed by an engraved motif resembling a two-handled vessel, possibly a representation of a memorial vase. The skull may originally have been enamelled, but no traces remain. Memento mori rings remind the wearer of their own mortality, and were often bequeathed to relatives and friends to serve as personal memorials. The practice originally entailed passing on rings that had been the personal property of the testator, but during the 16th century a custom developed whereby instructions were left in the will for rings to be purchased specifically for the purpose. This avoided any perceived discrimination, and the quantity could be adjusted to suit as many beneficiaries as considered appropriate. The type of ring chosen varied, but there appears to have been a general preference for the memento mori type, as the present ring. From the reign of Charles II, the practice began of engraving such rings with the name of the deceased and the date of death, and thus they can be clearly identified as mourning rings. Towards the middle of the 18th century, the inscription was transferred to the outside of the ring, and took the form of a relief inscription on an enamelled background. The convention was that the rings of those who died unmarried would carry white enamel, while black enamel was used for those who were married.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Posy Ring

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 15:18:47 GMT

Description:		A complete Tudor-period gold finger ring with infinity knot, representing eternal love, and inscription around the exterior of the hoop. The ring is of constant D-shaped cross-section, except at the knot, which has been made separately from wire and soldered to the bifurcated ends of a joint in the hoop. The knot is located between the beginning and end of the engraved inscription, which itself is within two elongated, vesica-shaped panels, each containing two words. The inscription reads "boght witte is beste" (bought wit is best), a proverb of German origin meaning wisdom acquired by experience is best. The inscription is preceded by a cross patonce, and three quatrefoil motifs separate the four words.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Prank Ring

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Description:		A base metal,(lead-alloy) prank ring. The hoop is D-shaped in cross-section with a central ridge running around the interior and exterior surfaces. It has a shield-shaped bezel with decoration consisting of a superimposed design of four circles and a lozenge with a small cross at the centre. On one side of the hoop are the remains of a tapered integral sleeve which once accommodated a small plastic or rubber bulb that could be filled with water and hidden in the palm of the wearer's hand, this would be squeezed once the wearer had enticed a victim to admire the ring. This ring was originally identified in error as an ordinary base metal finger ring of early post-medieval date. See also PAS: DUR-ADDAE3.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:46:04 GMT

Description:		A patriotic German finger ring. Most likely dating to the first world war and probably trench art. The ring is formed from a rectangular strip of copper alloy, it is narrow at the bottom, expanding to form the shoulders which have a single, central groove. It continues to expand to form a flat bezel that has a crude inlaid silver representation of the Iron Cross at the centre.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 13:47:13 GMT

Description:		A copper-alloy finger ring. The hoop is flat and rectangular in section, it splits to form triangular openwork shoulders to which a die-formed quatrefoil bezel has been attached at the widest central point. Traces of gilt survive in the recesses of the bezel.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:44:29 GMT

Description:		A very small inscribed gold finger ring of the early post-medieval period. The inner surface of the hoop is engraved with the French inscription, 'en boen preneur', which is perhaps best translated as 'in good hands', rather than literally as 'with a good taker'. The letters are about 1.2mm high and all are in lower case except the first 'R', which is inexplicably in upper case. The outer surface of the hoop is uniform and consists of twisted, interwoven strands of gold wire and an uncertain near-black material.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 13:02:12 GMT

Description:		A plain D-section 22 carat gold finger ring (wedding ring), hallmarked at London thus: 1. Bust of George III - duty mark 2. Lion passant - assay mark 3. Letter 'C' - date mark (1818) 4. I•V in rectangle - maker's mark (untraced)
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:00:00 GMT

Description:		A post medieval copper-alloy finger ring. The hoop is D-shaped in section, narrow at the back, expanding to form the shoulders which vaguely resemble snakeheads and the shield-shaped bezel. The interior of the hoop bears what could be the maker's mark or a spurious hallmark.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings

Finger Ring

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 20:46:57 GMT

Description:		A copper-alloy composite finger ring. Comprising a die-stamped plate which forms the decorated tapered shoulders and bezel base, to which a white faceted glass stone held in a clawed and cramped setting has been applied. The flat and rectangular section hoop has been soldered onto the underside of the bezel plate.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Jewellery and dress accessories, Finger rings
Category:		Finger rings