The Norfolk Medieval Flower Signet

Period: 14th – 15th Century (Late Medieval)

​Original Material: Copper Alloy (Bronze)

​Find Location: Norfolk, UK

Style: Circular “petalled” bezel with foliate (leaf-like) shoulders

Significance of the Design:

• This ring features a stylized six-petalled flower or “rosette” on its flat bezel. In the Medieval world, botanical motifs were rarely just decorative; the flower was a powerful symbol of purity, new life, and the Virgin Mary. A six-petalled design specifically was often associated with the “Star of Life” or the “Rose of Sharon,” intended to bring divine favour and protection to the wearer.

  ​What makes this particular find exceptional are the decorative shoulders. The band widens as it meets the bezel into a leaf-like shape, creating a seamless transition from the “stem” (the hoop) to the “bloom” (the bezel). This organic, flowing aesthetic was highly fashionable in Late Medieval England, reflecting the Gothic art style seen in the great cathedrals of the era. These rings were widely used by the merchant and land-owning classes as a mark of gentility and a way to carry a silent prayer or symbol of devotion.

The Find: 

Discovered by a metal detectorist in the rich Norfolk soil, the original artifact survives in excellent condition. The crisp lines of the flower and the detailed “veins” on the shoulders suggest it was a high-quality piece when first cast. Norfolk was one of the wealthiest and most densely populated regions of Medieval England, and this ring is a perfect reflection of the refined tastes of its inhabitants.