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Description: | Cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is roughly circular in plan with a diameter of 16.9mm. The reverse rises to a height of 18.7mm terminating in an oval perforated loop. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six tapering sides. This terminates in a series of molded bands and the loop. The seal matrix weighs 5.38 grams.
The die depicts a four legged animal possibly a lion or dog, passant (standing on three legs with its front paw raised) advancing / facing left. The tail of the beast is raised an looped back upon itself. Above the animal between the tail and the head is a well cut fleur-de-lys. This central design is enclosed within a circular motif created from a series of small incised circles. This would create a circular beaded boarder of small sub-oval pellets in the seal impression. Around the edge of the die, outside the beaded boarder is an inscription. This has been damaged by abrasion but probably reads: S [??]OV PINOR (crescent). The inscription is not especially well cut and has been made nonsensical due area of damage. The inscription does not form a common pattern of either a name and place or family name; also it does not show a religious or a vernacular phrase or saying. The initial S probably is a contraction of the word sigil (or seal).
The matrix is of a mid green colour with an even but slightly abraded patina. There are also areas of light green active powdery corrosion present - mostly on the body of the seal. The edge of the die has suffered from abrasion and chipping caused by movement in the plough soil. This has also resulted in damage to the loop of the matrix. From the seal matrixes size and the image it depicts, it was most likely to represent a private personal seal. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400. Similar parallels can be seen in Salisbury Medieval Catalogue (Part 1) pages 27-39. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Reavill, Peter - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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