Silver Verval
Description
Silver vervel, (Lewis & Richardson Type B). A small ring of plano-convex section, with the rounded convex side innermost. This would ensure a snug fit on the leg of a bird without risking injury. Its size may suggest this was for one of the breeds of falcon, which were raptors trained to take smaller birds. The flat outer face bears an incised inscription rendered with separate letters in a hand-written style, and with prominently seriffed capitals. It reads: LORD + SHEFFELD *. The combination of lettering of an easily legible modern style with phonetic spelling is characteristic of the 17th century. The find spot, lying close to Normanby Hall, a former Sheffield seat, suggests this ring to be associated with the family. Hawking has a long history as an aristocratic occupation, and, like heraldry, also enjoyed a particular vogue or renaissance in the 17th century.
Object number
NOLMS:2026.019
Object
Vervel
Production date
1670 - 1720
Early Post-Medieval
Early Post-Medieval
Material
Silver (Metal)
Dimensions
Diameter: 9.5mm
Width: 2.5mm
Depth: 1.4mm
Weight: 0.66g
Width: 2.5mm
Depth: 1.4mm
Weight: 0.66g
Provenance
Burton-upon-Stather (North Lincolnshire)
Find spot
Near Normanby Hall (Normanby)
Inscription
LORD + SHEFFELD *
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