Medieval gold and sapphire stirrup ring

Code: 11208

This is a nice medieval gold finger ring, dating to the 13th - 14th century. This ring is of the type known as a 'Stirrup' ring, named by Victorian collectors during the 19th century (due to the shape resembling horses stirrups). This form of finger-ring was most popular during the 13th century however the date range can stretch from c.1150-c.1500 (Egan and Pritchard 1991:326). Similar rings have been excavated in 13th-century contexts at Canterbury (Scarisbrick and Henig 2003:30, no.1), London (Egan and Pritchard 1991:326, nos.1608&9) and Winchester (Biddle 1990:651, no.2082). see NMS-8EADF3 and WILT-5F7996 for discussion. This ring is set with a sapphire gemstone, with part of the rubbed setting loose around the bezel.  

OBJECT: Stirrup ring

CULTURE: Medieval 

DATE: c. 1250  - 1350 A.D. (13th - 14th century A.D.)

MATERIAL: Gold & sapphire

SIZE: 18.41mm, the width is 15.02mm x 5.02mm

RING SIZE:  2 1/2  (US)     E  (UK)

WEIGHT: 1.47 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European Private Collection.