Thanks to generous public donations we have been able to purchase this special 17th Century gold ‘Painswick Mourning Ring’ for the collection. Following a successful fundraising campaign the Cowle Trustees were then able to match the public donations to complete the treasure purchase. Thank you.

This special ring is made of gold and engraved on the outside of the band with a three-quarter left facing skull, that has large recessed circular eyes, a pointed nasal cavity in-between; a single row of teeth below and a rounded brain case to the right to complete the skull.

On the inside of the band is the inscription ’W Webbe ob 23 June 79’ which is thought to commemorate the death of William Webb who died in 1679. William Webb is thought to have been born in 1626, part of a well-known and wealthy clothier family that owned many mills in the Stroud District.

The ring was declared as Treasure by a coroner in 2022. More detailed information about the Treasure Act can be found on www.finds.org.uk, and more information about the ring can be found on the Finds website here.

A gold mourning ring