Featured Have I struck gold?! Detector find

Hi there people, I'm new on here.
I was gifted an old metal detector recently and have done a search in northern Bavaria, Germany where my first find was an old ring, I have no idea where and when it was made, a bit of help will go a long way here.

Thank you!

 

Clean the dirt off of it and a good in focus photo of the design on the ring.When you post photos click the full image tab.

 

Will do! Cheers!

 

I've seen similar rings described as medieval or post-medieval.

 

What a great find!. Such fun to research

 

Definitely an interesting find. Must have been fun to dig that up.

Almost looks like it could double as a seal of sorts.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome, branvan.
Looks like you've struck bonze. A very nice find, it is a signet ring, the style is ca 1500.
If you haven't cleaned it yet, could we see a photo of the design on the front, so a real front view? It is easier to recognize with the light coloured dirt still in the grooves.

 

AJ, do you have any resources you can suggest for medieval and ancient jewelry like this?

 

I'm wondering if any cleaning should be done before this is fully ID'd. Or at a minimum make sure you know what you are doing with cleaning if this winds up being ca 1500 as suggested. My own view would be to hold off cleaning until you know what is what.

 

I thought bronze - and don't clean it. In the UK, we have a scheme where you can get this looked at by a Finds officer. If Gernmany has the same, I'd do that.

 

Thanks, bronze is as good as gold to me
I'ts unfoetunately already bathing in some baking soda and lemon juice and I'm anxious to see what's behind all the dirt. There's bronze underneath it but I dare not scratch it with metal. Even if it's a touristy souvenier ring I don't care.

Edit: There's an indentation in the middle of the ring, makes it look out of focus.

 

I've read a few things online, Germans will take it and keep it. So, well, they're not going to see it!/ lol

 

I would not soak it in anything acidic...or alkaline for that matter, removing the patina from something that old could more or less ruin whatever value it has.

 

It is isn't it!
Searching got me three ticks on my back. Hope they weren't diseased.
I'm cleaning it atm, when I finish I'll update my pics, cheers!

 

oh well, too late!

 

Do you think applying a lacquer might be helpful after the cleaning to prevent further damage to the metal?

I'm interested to see how it turns out with the patina removed.

 

I would have to check, I do a lot from memory. Most of the links I have are to gold jewellery, which is usually more detailed.
@Ex Libris has worked on archaeological digs in our region, southeastern Netherlands, he might know of links to bronze jewellery.

I agree. Holly did say to just clean off the dirt, which should be fine. Anything else could be a problem.

Take it out now! That is an order! Just the dirt, Holly said. A brush, a rinse under the tap, or a short soak in soapy water would have sufficed. Always dry well after contact with fluids.

I think I am going to lie down in a darkened room.

 

I would never advise lacquer on an item like this. Any further damage depends on how rough branvan is with the ring.

 

Arg. I'm joining you. PLus it will have lsot all its context.

 

I just hope it won't look like a cheap brass piece of .... now.