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Description: | Copper alloy medieval fob seal matrix dating to the 14th-15th century. The matrix has faceted hexagonal handle, tapering to a single collar (with agroove above and below it) and terminating in a lozenge shaped suspension loop with a drilled circular loop. The face of the matrix is oval and depicts the common medieval device of 'a pelican in her piety'. This shows a pelican pecking her breast in order that her blood can feed the chicks in the nest below; this is a religious comment on the shedding of Christ's blood to save mankind. The legend surrounding the central device has been broken away in antiquity so is largely illegible. There is a letter 'V' visible and it is possible the legend read 'prive sv' (private). The matrix weighs 7.5g and measures 23.3mm in length, 18.9mm in width and 16.6mm in thickness.
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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