The design of this ring owes much to the tradition of mourning rings but it was probably a gift of love or friendship. The navette shaped bezel is set with a panel of plaited hair, on which the design of a dove perched on a branch with an olive twig in its beak can be seen. The image is made out of tiny seed pearls, symbolising purity and love. The plaited hair shows that it was a personal gift - cut hair was used both in love and mourning jewellery. The dove holding an olive branch alludes to the Biblical story of Noah and his Ark. After the flood, Noah sent a dove to find any land above water. When the dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, Noah was able to find land and begin to rebuild society. The dove and olive branch has been considered a symbol of peace and hope since the early Christians.