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Description: | A largely complete cast copper alloy medieval seal matrix with an unusual motif. The seal matrix has a sub-circular base. Transverse to the base is a conical handle, hexagonally facetted, which narrows above the base. There is a broadly lozenge shaped suspension loop at the top, with a slightly off-centre circular perforation (internal diameter: 3.9mm). Between the base and the suspension loop, there are three raised ribs which run around the handle. These have a hexagonal cross-section, and increase in size towards the base of the seal matrix. The length of the seal matrix from the top of the suspension loop to the base is 29.2mm. The seal matrix has a diameter of 17.7mm, and it has a mass of 12.7g.
There is an unusual incised design on the sub-circular base of the seal matrix, set within a slightly incomplete circular incised border. The design is described as it would be seen on an impression made by the seal matrix (i.e. reversed). The central motif is of a draped female figure, facing but standing slightly to the left, with clearly defined face, breasts and folds of clothing on her lower half. In her right hand (i.e to the left) she holds an object formed by a vertical groove, with two horizontal incisions at about its halfway point, and one at its base. To her left is a large shield. Within the shield is a large ??A?? with a crossbar which extends to either side, and below the crossbar is a ??v?? shaped design. There is an inscription, possibly reading ??men?? on the border to the left of the figure. There is a design, resembling a coronet or an ??E?? towards the right hand border, above the shield. There is also an incised design on the top side of the base. This is formed by two parallel horizontal grooves, through which runs a line at about twenty degrees off vertical.
The seal matrix has a well developed dark green patina, but where the original surface has been lost on portions of the base, handle and loop there is a brown surface. Cherry (1997, p.124) states that: "There was a widespread fashion among all classes for sealing, from the late twelfth to the fourteenth century." This is the most likely date for the seal matrix described in this record. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Slarke, Duncan - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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