Collection Item: Escrick Ring

Basic info

Collection
Archaeology
Title
Escrick Ring
Object name
Finger ring
Object category
Anglo-Scandinavian
Description
Gold finger ring set with a large blue gemstone and red glass cloisonné. In addition, two separate fragments of garnet, one a splinter, the other one segment-shaped. The central cabochon gem is surrounded by four triangular cells. Where these meet, small round cells have been set. Three of them still contain minute granular inlays, although it is impossible to determine whether they are glass pastes, glass or gem stones. A short, straight cell wall emanates from each roundel and meets the corners of the outer, square frame of the bezel, thus bisecting the space between the triangles. Glass slips are still present in one of the triangular cells and four of the interstitial spaces. The square frame of the bezel is set onto an eight-lobed base. The lobes are alternately embellished by gold granules and by beaded wire enclosing further gold granules. Where this platform meets the round-sectioned hoop, three further gold granules are set. The underside of the lobed platform is plain. The presence of a sapphire is not characteristic for the Anglo-Saxon/Merovingian period and in conjunction with the use of red glass, rather than garnet, for inlay suggests that this ring dates later. Parallels on stone use, granulation and layout make a date perhaps in the late 10th or 11th centuries likely.
Production date start
950
Production date end
1050
Period
Anglo-Scandinavian

More info

Identification

Object number
YORYM : 2011.262
Alternative number
2009 T223
Number of objects
1
ID
15968

Physical Characteristics

Materials
Gold (Whole)
Sapphire (Setting)
Glass (Cloisonné)

Find spot

Method
Metal detector find
Place
Escrick