medieval ring

British Museum 

Museum number   AF.568

Gold signet-ring; in form of bow-ring. Octagonal bezel is engraved in intaglio with shield of arms: per bend, column and three bends, for Donati(?), surmounted by crest and helm with mantling. Engraved with inscription; pearled border; nielloed reserved inscription around hoop with rosettes between several words. Extended back of ring decorated with column between confronting wyverns and trefoil between leaves, all on ground of niello. Interior of hoop engraved with column upon mount cut by scythe with handle upwards and surmounted by inscribed scroll.