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| Thousands of brass finger rings in fourteen different designs were found on La Belle. These expensive, hand-made trinkets were designed for trade but also may have been worn by some aboard the ship. Although they were called Jesuit rings, they were not exclusive to that religious group. The most common design symbols on the rings are the Holy Name, IHS, depiction of the crucifixion, and Mary Magdalene praying to a cross. The Belle assemblage of 1,591 of rings of this type is the largest ever found in the world. |