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Decade ring

Roman Catholic Europe

17th century

Bronze decade ring, the bezel flat and partly broken, the hoop with ten studs on the outside

19 mm internal ring diameter; 2.9 g weight

Bought in Rome

Presented by Dr C.D.E. Fortnum in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897; WA1897.CDEF.F485

The decade ring was used in much the same way as the rosary. An ave was repeated at each of the studs and a paternoster at the bezel. The ten studs represent the nails used to fix Christ to the Cross.