Finger ring bezel

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This silver and gold bezel from a finger ring is part of a hoard buried at Iona Abbey on Iona in Argyll between 986 and 990. The ring is unusual, probably Anglo-Saxon although an Irish or Scottish origin is possible.

The finger ring bezel was made of silver plate, on which gold filigree and granulation ornament were placed, together with a central circular green glass setting. It shows considerable wear.

Bezels of finger rings in this shape are unusual in the classical and medieval periods. While a few parallels can be made with Anglo-Saxon rings, the form of gold filigree also is found in Irish or Scottish metalwork.

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• Online ID: 000-100-043-902-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.IL 716
• Date: Buried between 986 and 990
  
• Material: Silver
  Mount
  
• Dimensions: 1.15" x 0.75"
  
• What: Mount
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Argyll, Iona
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver mount found with a hoard of 10th century Anglo-Saxon coins at Iona Abbey
  
• References:
  • Webster, Leslie. The Iona Abbey ring bezel. In: Graham-Campbell, James. The Viking-age gold and silver of Scotland (AD 850-1100). Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland, 1995, pp 49-50. 
• Translations:
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