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Executive Summary: Rare 16th-Century Tudor Rose Silver Filigree Ring
A prestigious archaeological recovery from a multi-period Roman military corridor. This late-1500s silver ring is an exquisite survivor of the Tudor era, recovered from the historic trackway and destruction layer used by the Roman cavalry returning to the Longthorpe Fort. Featuring a masterful representation of the iconic Tudor Rose in silver filigree, this piece is a stabilized coordinate of over 1,500 years of English history, found at the intersection of the Elizabethan age and the Roman conquest of the East Midlands.
- Period: Tudor Era (circa 1550–1600)
- Design: Stylized Tudor Rose with fine filigree and granulated shoulders
- Material: High-grade Silver with authentic \"as-found\" patination
- Weight & Size: 6.39g | UK Size M ½
- Provenance: Georeferenced find (Winter 2022) near Stilton/Yaxley
Artistry & Design: The Tudor Rose
The centerpiece of this ring is a raised, oval bezel displaying a classic Tudor Rose motif. The six-petaled filigree design mirrors the heraldic stained glass and architecture of the period, as seen in the accompanying visual comparisons.
- Bezel Construction: A sophisticated dual-plate design. The upper plate is intricately decorated with delicate filigree scrolls and central silver granules to form the rose.
- The Band: A robust, convex silver band featuring granulated \"shoulders\" that provide a seamless transition to the ornate head.
- The Border: The bezel is framed with a meticulous silver-filigree rope-work border—the hallmark of a high-status Elizabethan-era artisan.
Condition: The \"Soil-Tumble\" Aesthetic
This ring is presented in Fine condition, intentionally preserved in its original state to maintain its historical integrity.
- Authentic Patina: I have refrained from over-cleaning to preserve the deep oxide and calcite formations. These tones are \"nature\'s certificate of authenticity,\" proving the piece has been interred for centuries.
- Historical Character: The upper bezel shows a minor compression from its time in the earth. This wear adds a unique character and underscores its \"soil-tumbled\" history.
- Conservation: While it holds a beautiful museum-grade aesthetic now, it remains a prime candidate for professional cleaning should the buyer prefer to reveal the bright silver.
Provenance:
- Location: 52°30\'28.95\"N 0°16\'05.98\"W (1/2 mile from Stilton).
- The Trackway: This find-spot is located on the historic trackway and destruction layer associated with the Roman cavalry returning to Longthorpe.
- Stratigraphy of History: This path was a primary artery used continuously from the Roman occupation through the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods, leading toward the 12th-century St Peter’s Church in Yaxley (AD 1190). This ring represents the Tudor chapter of a site with immense military and social significance.
Collector\'s Note: To find a Tudor silver ring with such specific, georeferenced links to a Roman cavalry corridor is incredibly rare. This is an essential acquisition for the discerning collector of British history, Tudor jewelry, or East Anglian antiquities.
