A SILVER cufflink that was made to commemorate the marriage of King Charles II in the 17th century has officially been declared as treasure.
Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court heard last week that the cufflink was unearthed by Mr John Blackwell in Slimbridge on May 29, 2023.
Experts have dated the ring between 1660-1720, marking King Charles’s marriage to Catherine of Braganza in 1662.
It was described as an incomplete silver cufflink, or button, with an 'impressed design in relief of two hearts surmounted by a large crown against a stippled field.'
It has a downturned rim and a hollow reverse that mounts a complete loop in the centre.
This cufflink element falls within Lewis's ‘Crown and Heart' design featuring a crown above two hearts.
The cufflink was discovered in Slimbridge earlier this year and dates back between 1660-1720 (Image: Gloucester News Service)The Gloucester treasure inquest heard that cufflinks and buttons featuring similar designs have been thought to have originally been produced to commemorate King Charles II's marriage.
However, the design continued to be used as a general symbol of love and marriage for a number of years after that time.
It has a diameter of 15mm with a height of 5mm and was made of silver.
The Museum in The Park in Stroud has expressed an interest in acquiring the ring.
The assistant coroner for Gloucestershire Roland Wooderson confirmed that the ring is treasure as it post mediaeval, made of a precious metal - silver - and pre-dates 1721.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here