Medieval Bronze Signet Ring Crowned 'T'

Code: 10412

This is a nice medieval signet ring, dating to the 15th - 16th century A.D. The ring is decorated with a crowned Lombardic letter 'T', likely the first letter of a name such as 'Thomas'. Similar crowned letter 'T' signet ring has been recorded SUR-9FCC38 and BH-E8E821.

Similar stirrup-shaped signet rings bearing single letters were found in excavations in Salisbury, and were dated to the 15th century (Saunders and Saunders eds 1991: 42/fig. 12, cf. nos. 17 - 19). Two further rings, albeit of different shape, bore the same Lombardic 'T' as on this piece (ibid. nos. 21 and 22). These examples were dated from the 15th to 16th centuries. According to the authors, a study of seals in the Public Record Office has shown that the letter on the ring relates to the Christian name of the owner, with 'T' probably standing for 'Thomas' in most cases (ibid. 40).

This ring is in excellent condition, retaining traces of the original tinning. A river found example from Yorkshire.

OBJECT: Signet Ring

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 1400 - 1550 A.D.

MATERIAL: Bronze

RING SIZE:   10 3/4 (US)      V 1/4 (UK)

SIZE: 27mm x 25mm x 3mm (bezel 17mm x 13mm x 4mm) 

WEIGHT: 11 grams

PROVENANCE: Found in Beningbrough, Yorkshire.