Two valuable discoveries, including a medieval gold finger-ring and a post-medieval silver seal-matrix, have been located on the Gower Peninsula.
These items were formally classified as treasure on Monday, September 25th, by Aled Gruffydd, the Assistant Coroner for Swansea and Neath-Port Talbot.
Kieran Slade unearthed the gold finger-ring while engaged in metal-detecting activities on arable farmland in Port Eynon, Swansea, back in March 2021. This cast gold ring features an octagonal hollow bezel, with remnants of a dark red cabochon stone setting, believed to be garnet. The ring’s style and crafting technique date it to the 13th or 14th centuries AD.
In November 2020, Gwyn Thomas made an extraordinary discovery while metal detecting in a pasture field in Llangennith, Swansea – a 17th-century silver seal matrix.
A seal matrix served the purpose of creating an impression on a wax seal, either to authenticate a document or to securely seal it shut.
Initially, the find was reported to Peter Reavill, who was then the Finds Liaison Officer for Shropshire and Herefordshire under the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Subsequently, it was transferred to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales for reporting as a treasure discovery in Wales.
This silver fob seal boasts an oval-shaped face adorned with intertwined pentafoils, and it is inscribed with the initials ‘H M.’ The outer border is elegantly beaded, while the fob’s end is equipped with a suspension ring for attachment to a chain or fabric tie.
Swansea Museum has expressed interest in acquiring this find, contingent upon its independent valuation by the Treasure Valuation Committee, Emma Williams, Collections & Access Officer at Swansea Museum said: “These finds will make a really wonderful addition to the museum’s collections and will help us to tell more of Swansea’s story. We look forward to putting them on display for everyone to enjoy.”
