Gold Finger Ring

This ring is another example of the very fine jewellery found in the Waterford excavations and is either of antique Roman or Italian Renaissance origin as the gemstone depicts a classical motif - a man in armour putting his hand into a fire and making an offering.

The stone is sard or chalcedony and the engraving is carefully cut and polished and shows use of several tools. The ring may have been brought to Waterford by a clergyman or pilgrim returning from Rome. Incidentally the ring is of very wide girth.

Gold finger ring

This ring is either of antique Roman or Italian Renaissance origin as the gemstone depicts a classical motif

Gold finger ring

Gold finger ring

This ring is either of antique Roman or Italian Renaissance origin as the gemstone depicts a classical motif

Enlarge image

date/period: 1570 A.D./early modern or possibly antique Roman

inventory no.: 1999.492

collection: Waterford City Council

location: Waterford Museum of Treasures exhibition

dimensions: Ring 22 internal diameter; stone 14.5 x 10.7 mm

provenance: Found in excavations of Waterford city centre 1986-1992

material: gold, sard

Further Reading:

Late Viking Age & Medieval Waterford Excavations 1986-1992. ISBN 1 872002 98 6

Related items:

• Belt Mount