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Description: | A seal matrix, with a conical handle - probably dating to the 15th century. The seal matrix was cast in copper alloy, and then the face was chip carved. The handle has six subtle facets and terminates with a trefoil shaped loop pierced by a small circular hole. The trefoil terminal is badly worn and the lobes of the trefoil have lost some of their definition. Below the loop there are two collars, below which the handle of the seal matrix is waisted. The face depicts an image of the Virgin Mary breast feeding baby Jesus on her right (if seen as an impression). Mary is wearing a late 14th - 15th century wimple which helps to date this matrix. Her robes are draped under her arm and she appears to be carrying a book or small vessel. Jesus is also wearing robes. Mary and Jesus are flanked by two large palm leaves. Palm leaves such as these would have been laid down on the road/floor to honour someone. This image is surrounded by a crude ring made up of lines and pellets. The outer edge of the matrix is also bordered by a similar ring. Therefore the legend is bordered. The legend has been written in Latin in a Lombardic lettering style. The legend reads * AVE MARIA GRACIA , which can literally be translated to mean 'Hail Mary grace'. Normally this motto is seen in full and reads AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA, which translates to mean 'Hail Mary full of Grace'. It would appear to be the case that the person carving this matrix did not have enough room to fit in the whole legend and therefore shortened it to get the most important word onto the tiny object. This type of legend is a generic seal matrix legend as opposed to one that is specific to an individual person. The initial mark at the start of the legend is a crude star. There does not appear to be any marks of the reverse of the face, to indicate to the user which way around to hold and indeed use this matrix. The star and therefore the start of the legend have been positioned above Mary's head. The surface of the copper alloy is slightly pitted and worn and it is a mid greyish-green colour. The edges of the face have been slightly damaged. The seal matrix stands to a height of 26.88mm. The measurements below relate to the face of the matrix.
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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