The original Saxon ring and my recreation in rose gold
In 1989, a finely-wrought copper Saxon ring was unearthed in the village of Wedmore, in Somerset, not even 100 metres away from my gallery. While the ring's origins are a mystery we do know that Wedmore was a site of special significance to King Alfred.
No other item of Saxon jewellery has ever been found there. All we know is that it was the custom of Saxon kings to reward their beloved companions with such a ring.
Over a thousand years later, I recreated the ring in the same way as the original, using two pieces of wire. The gold is alloyed, drawn into the correct profile, knotted and woven into the elegant pattern, and forged to make the finishing twist. All that holds the ring together is the tension and pattern of the knot work.
The knot itself is difficult for me to recreate due to my being left handed. All my instincts, when forging the ring, want to twist the metal in the opposite direction to the original piece.
Each of these hand-made rings bears its own number and unique Wedmore seal stamped on the inside and recorded on the certificate. An intricate, elegant piece to treasure for generations.
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| The Saxon ring in Gold |
To find out more about my Saxon Ring collection visit: www.ericasharpe.co.uk
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