A complete gold finger-ring of late Early-Medieval date. It is composed of two plain circular-sectioned rods twisted together with two finer beaded wires twisted in between, resulting in alternating plain and beaded bands. The rods taper in diameter to the ends which are hammered together to form a narrow, square-sectioned join.

This ring is of a late Viking type dating to the 11th century and possibly into the early 12th century in Scandinavia.

Date:

Early-Medieval: 9th - 11th Century

Dimensions:

Length: 26.1mm; Width: 21.9mm; Thickness: 5mm; Weight: 9.1g.

Discussion:

The ring is comparable in form and technique with Viking-period examples in gold from West Bergholt, Essex, and Weston Turville, Bucks. (J. Graham-Campbell, 2011, The Cuerdale Hoard and related Viking-Age silver and gold from Britain and Ireland in the British Museum, London, British Museum Press, 262, pl. 82: 32-33). Treasure Annual Report 2008. (2010). London: DCMS. p.126, no.215. another from the Mid-Sussex district was reported as Treasure in 2008 (2008 T427 (SUSS-81B6D4) <a href="http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/227826">http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/227826</a>).

In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.