|
Date: |
|
Description: | Copper alloy medieval seal matrix with a hexagonal face. The matrix is quite worn and the handle does not survive. The legend is quite worn but appears to read [SO]HO TIRE[S] SOH. "SOHOV" is a hunting cry that turns up quite frequently on circular matrices and the "SOHO" and "SOH" part of this legend are possibly variants of this (in the latter case, the cutter may have run out of space to complete the letters). "TIRES" is from the Medieval French 'tirer' which means 'to pull' - as on reins; it also means 'fire' a gun in modern French and may be being used on this matrix in relation to encouraging a hound or horse during a hunt which would tie in with the hunting cry. The central motif is quite unclear but is possibly a quiver lying on it's side with the fletchings of a single arrow coming out of the top. At either side of the quiver are (possibly) the leather straps from which it would have been suspended. The matrix weighs 5.86g and measures 16.5mm in diameter and 5.5mm in thickness.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
|
|