This copper alloy sewing ring is a relic from the late medieval period, dating back to the 14th-15th century. It was unearthed during an excavation conducted by the Winchester Excavation Committee in the Brooks area of Winchester during the late 1960s.
Unlike thimbles from later periods that were typically cast, this sewing ring is crafted from a strip of metal that has been bent into a circular shape and features hand-punched indentations. Its design allows for the fingertip to remain free, making it easier to grasp lightweight objects such as thread and pins, while also preventing sweat from interfering with the task at hand.
For further details, you can refer to Professor Martin Biddle's book titled "Winchester Studies 7.ii, Objects and Economics in Medieval Winchester," specifically catalog number 2502, for additional information about this artifact and its historical context.