Medieval silver finger ring, now badly distorted, found at Martyr Worthy, Itchen Valley, Hampshire. The ring is engraved with the phrase "en bon an" (in a good year). This sentiment occurs frequently on late medieval finger rings and is often considered to be associated with New Year's gifts. The inscription is punctuated with sprigs of foliage. The ring was once entirely gilded, but this only survives on the interior of the hoop and in the deepest recesses of the engraved design. Traces of solder can be seen between the words bon and an on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the ring.
Silver finger ring
Late medieval, about 15th century AD
Found with a metal detector at Martyr Worthy, Itchen Valley, Hampshire in 2003
This ring was once entirely gilded, but this now only survives on the interior of the hoop and in the deepest recesses of the engraved design. The inscription is punctuated with sprigs of foliage, and reads "en bon an" (in a good year). This sentiment occurs frequently on late medieval finger rings and is often considered to be associated with New Year's gifts. Traces of solder can be seen between the words bon and an, presumably an ancient repair.
