'The Purbeck' Medieval Gold Ring with Ruby
15th-16th century A.D. A gold finger ring comprising a slender hoop developing to claw-shaped shoulders with reserved acanthus motif on a pounced field; tall pie-dish bezel with recessed sides, claw setting for the gemstone; repaired and polished, absent original stone replaced with a facetted ruby. Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 675, for type. 2.41 grams, 24.20 mm overall, 17.40 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13) (1 in.). Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Purbeck, Dorset, UK, in 2019.Declared as Treasure and disclaimed with treasure reference 2020 T34.Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher.Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme report no.DOR-C7C656.Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum disclaiming the Crown's interest in the ring. [No Reserve] A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions Website.]