Image: Niello finger ring (FindID 391699)

Description: Summary: Five gold objects dating to the 7th to 11th centuries were found in three batches over two days. No. 4 was found first, no. 5 the following day, and nos. 1-3 the same evening as no. 5 and in close association. Subsequently a further gold finger-ring and a lead spindle-whorl were found; these are recorded at SWYOR-3B5652 (2009T221). 1. Finger-ring set with a garnet (c. 900-c. 1000 AD). Dimensions: 42mm (length of bezel), 32mm (width of bezel), c. 11mm (height of bezel), 33.5mm (total height of ring), 3mm (thickness of hoop). Weight: 30.17g. 2. Finger-ring with enlarged bezel (c. 900-c. 1000 AD). Dimensions: width of bezel 16mm; maximum diameter 22mm; weight 9.48g. 3. Finger-ring with niello panels (c. 780-c. 950 AD). Dimensions: diameter of hoop 27mm; width of oval areas 5mm; weight 15.09g. 4. Gold ingot (c. 875-c. 1100 AD). Dimensions: length 19mm; width 9mm; thickness max 5mm; weight 8.35g 5. Cloisonné fragment (c. 600-c. 660 AD). Dimensions: 23mm x 21mm; Weight 3.44g Scientific analysis: Non-destructive X-ray fluorescence analysis of the surface of the five gold objects from West Yorkshire, carried out by the British Museum's Department of Conservation and Scientific Research indicated the following composition ranges: No. 1 = 86-90% gold, 6-8% silver, and 3-6% copper (the garnet was identified by Raman spectroscopy) No. 2 = 77-81% gold, 15-17% silver, and 4-6% copper No. 3 = 85-89% gold, 9-11% silver, and 2-4% copper No. 4 = 75- 79% gold, 19-22% silver, and 2-4% copper No. 5 = 88-92% gold, 4-6% silver, and 3-6% copper. General discussion: The hoard is likely to have been buried in the 10th century at the earliest; the dating of the objects is based on stylistic as well as technological comparisons with other material. The hoard contains a cut fragment of an antique brooch, as well as four up-to- date pieces.
Title: Niello finger ring
Credit: https://finds.org.uk/database/ajax/download/id/282996 Catalog: https://finds.org.uk/database/images/image/id/282996/recordtype/artefacts archive copy Artefact: https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/391699
Author: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service, Amy Downes, 2010-05-28 10:07:05
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License: CC BY-SA 2.0
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