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Fig. 34. A brass ring of unknown function was recovered in pristine condition.
A small copper alloy ring was found in association with the pitcher. Both the ring and the pitcher were found to be resting on what are probably forward starboard cant frames of the vessel, under an overburden of sand and shell hash common to the wreck location. The ring is 5mm thick, with an inner diameter of 3.6 cm and an outer diameter of 4.7 cm. The artifact is in pristine condition and, when first recovered, was shiny. A similar brass ring of unknown usage was recovered from San Estéban off Padre Island, although it was smaller, measuring less than 03 cm in diameter (Arnold and Weddle 1978:292). The function of the ring has not been determined, although it may be associated with galley wares. Iron and copper alloy rings were found at excavations of La Isabela, in the Dominican Republic (Deagan 1992: 62), and are believed to have been horse bridle hardware.