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Description: | Medieval copper alloy seal matrix with a hexagonally faceted body which extends into a hexagonally section handle. The terminal is flat and lozenge-shaped with a central piercing c.1mm in diameter.The face of the matrix is 16.5mm in diameter and has a ?beaded groove flanking the outside edge. At the centre is a fleur de lis and the inscription around it reads *IESVSELThe seal matrix stands 18.5mm in height and weighs 5.00g. It is 14th century in date.This is an impersonal seal. Other IESVS seal matrices of 14th century date have inscriptions such as IESVS MERCI or IESVS EST AMOR ME (Saunders and Saunders, ed., Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Part 1, 1991, p.32 nos.11 and 12). Possiby then the E of this inscription may stand for 'EST', although it is unclear what the L may stand for. Interestingly, El is the Hebrew form of ilah (meaning God), but this is an unlikely translation in 14th century Wiltshire!Another interpretation is IE SV(is) SEL (seul), I am alone, but perhaps the most likely is IE SV SEL 'I am a seal' which is recorded as a common inscription in Harvey, P D A and McGuinness, A, 1996; A Guide to British Medieval Seals London : The British Library and Public Record Office.
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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