'The Frinton' Medieval Gold Bishop's Ring with Emerald

Each a rectangular block with carved male head; the figure looking to his right wearing a low chaperon with thick rolled brim; the other figure wearing a close-fitting cap with broad upturned rim; each mounted on a custom-made stand. 62.55 kg total including stands, 43.5-44.5 cm deep



Believed to be from a building in the West Country, UK. Acquired from Lichen Garden Antiques, Oxfordshire, UK, in 2012. Property of a Kent collector.

The bezel developing to a low pyramid with lateral facets, surmounted by an inset cabochon sapphire set within an irregular cell; a quatrefoil plaque to each shoulder, and three more regularly placed around the shank; carinated hoop with magical Lombardic script '+NI ONAN NRIO ONIC / NIAI AINO ANIOI NAN'. 3.95 grams, 25.72 mm overall, 19.75 x 18.44 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Drayton, Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire, UK, on Sunday 16th September 2018 by Chris Weir. Declared as treasure under the Treasure Act with reference no.2018T853, subsequently disclaimed and returned to the finder. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.GLO-0BFB91. Accompanied by a letter from the finder describing the circumstances of finding. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12118-214086.

Many late medieval rings and brooches bear similarly meaningless inscriptions, perhaps due to the illiteracy of the engraver who nevertheless was aware that customers required an inscription, so provided one. Alternatively, since the text is composed from repeated sequences 'NI', 'AI', etc. based on an open syllabic structure, the words may be intended as a chant or magical charm. For discussion of such inscriptions see Evans, J., Magical Jewels of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Oxford, 1922, pp.121-132, for inscribed jewels.

With 21 lines of bastarda script text in black with blue versals and gold leaf detailing, red and blue decorative blocking, vertical bar with beast-head finial to margin; drypoint ruling visible. 5.41 grams, 23.3 x 16.7 cm



From an important collection of Christian artefacts formed by a London gentleman, 1970s-1980s. From the private collection of Mr David Barker, London, UK; thence by descent.