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Description: | A copper alloy oval seal matrix, tapering handle hexagonal in cross-section, terminating in a broken suspension loop. Device of "A pelican in her piety", i.e., a female pelican, here (probably) perching on a branch above her nest, pecking at her breast in order to draw the blood with which she feeds her chicks in the nest below. The nest rests at the top of a tree, which is indicated by its trunk and two oak-like leaves; the trunk extends into the lettering area. The tree and nest occupies just under half of the available area, the pelican's body occupying much of the remainder. The bird's wing runs up the right-hand side, with the top occurring at the apex of the available space. Device area is separated from the legend by a beaded line; the outer edge of the matrix is quite badly worn, but there are traces of a similar beaded line which once outlined the edge of the matrix face. Measurements: 16.5 mm x 22 mm, ?? mm high (approximate). Although the lettering on the matrix was originally clear, damage to the matrix has made it difficult to read in places. There are letters missing from the second word: particularly frustrating is the loss of the first letter, which only survives as two vertical strokes. The most likely letters are B and P; if the word is a placename, it may be somewhere beginning in Basing~. However, if it is a P, "PASS_GCULI" may be related to the Latin pass(u)agium, a ferry or ferry toll (also the intransitive passagio, to cross). Poppleton lies on the Ouse, and is known to have had a ferry crossing from early times; if the suggested reconstruction of the opening letter is correct, the word may simply mean "of the little ferry" (the extra syllable cul serving as the diminutive; Poppleton's ferry could never have been much more than a small boat). Hence 'Philip de Pass_gculum' may refer to the ferryman, or the collector of ferry tolls.Device is a common mediaeval scene; it has its roots in the Bible (Psalms, 102:6) and was developed by Christian commentators. Essentially, the pelican chicks were held to attack their parents as they grew older; the parents, in response, struck back and killed the chicks. However, on the third day the mother pelican drew her own blood which, pouring over the dead chicks, brought them back to life. The comparison with the story of Jesus is obvious: through pity for erring mankind, He allowed himself to be crucified, but rose again on the third day; by the shedding of His blood, mankind was saved. See also IHS-65B358 and IHS-6720D3
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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