Rare medieval gold ring found by metal detectorist goes on display

A medieval gold ring which has gone on display after being found by a metal detectorist is likely to have been a 15th-century love token, an expert has said. The artefact, which is currently being shown at the Yorkshire Museum in York, is believed to have been owned by a “potentially prominent member of society”. It was found by detectorist Paul Ibbotson lying beneath the surface of soil in a field at Fulford, near York, in December 2016, and was later legally declared as treasure. The ring – a gold band engraved with flowers and set with ruby and emerald gemstones – was purchased by the York Museums Trust in 2019. Adam Parker, the assistant curator of archaeology for the trust, said the combination of the gemstones was “unusual”. He told the PA news agency: “It's a rare item. Rings with rubies, sapphires or glass have been found before, but this dual bezel with both ruby and emerald is more unique. “In medieval times it would have been seen as an exotic item – one likely to originate in the Middle East or potentially north Africa.”
A medieval gold ring which has gone on display after being found by a metal detectorist is likely to have been a 15th-century love token, an expert has said. The artefact, which is currently being shown at the Yorkshire Museum in York, is believed to have been owned by a “potentially prominent member of society”. It was found by detectorist Paul Ibbotson lying beneath the surface of soil in a field at Fulford, near York, in December 2016, and was later legally declared as treasure. The ring – a gold band engraved with flowers and set with ruby and emerald gemstones – was purchased by the York Museums Trust in 2019. Adam Parker, the assistant curator of archaeology for the trust, said the combination of the gemstones was “unusual”. He told the PA news agency: “It's a rare item. Rings with rubies, sapphires or glass have been found before, but this dual bezel with both ruby and emerald is more unique. “In medieval times it would have been seen as an exotic item – one likely to originate in the Middle East or potentially north Africa.”
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Editorial #:
1198030737
Collection:
PA Media
Date created:
07 January, 2020
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Licence type:
Rights-ready
Release info:
Not released. More information
Clip length:
00:02:58:11
Location:
United Kingdom
Mastered to:
QuickTime 8-bit Photo-JPEG HD 1920x1080 25p
Source:
PA Media
Object name:
tvt_pa-70128.mov