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Description: | A slightly incomplete cast copper alloy circular personal seal, dating to the 14th century AD (length: 27mm; diameter at base: 19mm; width of handle: 7.5mm; thickness of suspension loop: 6mm; weight: 10.17g).At the top of the seal, there is a flat and corroded circular suspension loop, with a circular suspension hole (inner diameter of loop/hole: 3mm), which would have originally enabled the seal to be extended from a belt or possibly around the neck. There are two corroded ribs running across the upper width of the stem of the seal immediately underneath the suspension loop before the hexagonal stem extends and splays outwards towards the circular base of the artefact. At the base of the seal, the inscription around the outside edge is difficult to distinguish in places although some of the lettering can still be seen: [ +]A[LL]AS IE SV [PI]S with the translation 'Alas! I am caught'. In the centre of the matrix there is a hawk preying upon another bird. The artefact is in a worn and corroded condition with a dark green patina.An identical example is illustrated in Tonnochy, A, B, 1952, 'Catalogue of British Seal-Dies in the British Museum', page 152 & plate XVI, ref no 748.
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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