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Description: | A crude cast lead seal matrix, which has been chip carved. The seal matrix is a pointed oval type. The face of the matrix would have been flat and oval in shape, but the seal matrix is now bent out of shape and approximately 20% of the face has been removed due to the damage. It is possible that this seal matrix has been 'destroyed', as they often were following the owner's death. However, the damage that is visible could just be due to wear and/or plough damage.The face depicts a tree with four branches on either side of the tree. The tree is located in the centre of the face and is bordered in part by a pointed oval engraved line. This oval was never completed, so it only appears around the tree below the first four letters of the legend. The initial mark has been removed due to wear which is evident on the top of the face. The legend appears to read (in Latin) S' A.LCIE M DAN[---]. But it could read S' A.ICNE:'IT' DAR[---] or S' A.LCIE M DAR[---] . This appears to be a personal seal matrix but the name is indecipherable. On the reverse of the face there is a small crudely formed un-pierced lug positioned at the 'top' of the matrix (the lug relates to the position of the initial mark - indicating the beginning of the legend; showing the user of the matrix which way around to hold the seal matrix). The face of the seal matrix is corroded and has lost much of its original surface. Apart from the damaged surface the seal matrix is complete. The lead has gone a light whitish-grey colour.
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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