|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete cast copper-alloy medieval personal seal matrix of conical form. The handle is hexagonally faceted, with the divisions between the faces being blurred as it flares out, either through manufacture or wear. It has a distinct moulded ridged collar which continues the facetting of the handle. Above is a rounded suspension loop with central circular perforation infilled with corrosion product from the chain; part of one of the iron chain links survives attached. The circular die features the device of a sub-triangular ('heater' shaped) shield surmounted by a tall cross patty which reaches the border. On one side of the vertical arm of the cross appears to be a three-strip pennant (facing right on the impression). On the other side of the vertical arm, again above the shield, is a raised crescent. The shield is divided into halves by a horizontal line. The upper half is then divided in two by a vertical line: in each half is a saltire cross. This vertical seems to be a continuation of the vertical cross arm which may terminate in an intial or a flower. This device would be typical of a merchant: see Harvey and McGuinness (1996, 9; fig. 9) for a parallel device. Surrounding the device is the legend: 'S' TOM?AS WELLOP' ('Seal of Thomas Wellop'). The legend begins at 10 o'clock on the die (2 o'clock on the seal) due to the rear end of the creature extending towards the border.
It would seem that this seal matrix was not lost far from its point of use. 'Wellop' was a common rendering for 'Wallop' in the 13th and 14th centuries. Further, a Thomas Wallop (c. 1325 - 1361 AD) is documented as being from the area: his son, John, was born in Nether Wallop in 1351 (http://www.deloriahurst.com/deloriahurst%20page/3184.html). As it is plausible that this was the matrix of the above Thomas Wallop a mid-14th century date can be suggested with a degree of certainty, a date consistent with the matrix's form and device (ibid., 9). Inscription: S' TOM?AS WELLOP | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Webley, Robert - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
|
|