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Description: | Incomplete cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of later medieval date (post 1355). The die has been deliberately broken across one edge and a thick patina has developed over this. Originally the die would have been circular in plan with a diameter of 28.5mm. The reverse rises to a height of 36.6mm terminating in a tri-lobed (fleur-de-lys) perforated loop. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six tapering sides. This terminates in a series of molded bands from which the loop expands. On the upper face of the pedestal in line with one of the hexagonal ribs is an incised mark of a star. This star has been formed by three lines of similar length arranged to cross at the centre. The presence of this star coincides with the upper edge of the die and would enable the owner to align the seal vertically during use. A second incised diagonal mark is present on the next rib over. This mark may represent damage during use rather than a functional purpose. The seal matrix weighs 35.85 grams. The die has been extremely well cut and the motifs are crisp and well proportioned. The central design is that of three feathers, these are arranged vertically with the central feather being set lower than the two flanking ones. Each feather is formed with the tip bending slightly to the left hand side and the central shaft (quill) extends into the outer circle of the design. Across the base of each feather between the quill and barbs (feathery part) are small horizontal bars. The feathers themselves are very detailed with individual barbs being shown. In style the design of the feathers is very similar to that of the Ostrich feathers on the Black Princes / Prince of Wales emblem. Above the central feather, and between the flanking examples, is a well cut fleur-de-lys, which again has a slight bar across its base. Between these central elements are a number of smaller marks, mostly incised lines which may be meant to represent leaves, these are lightly cut into the surface. These central designs are enclosed within a circular motif created from a broadly cut curvi-linear line which is decorated with incised circles. This would create a circular beaded boarder of small sub-oval pellets in the seal impression. Around the edge of the die, outside the beaded boarder is an inscription. Elements of this inscription extend into this inner border. A large section of the inscription has been deliberately removed. However the act of removing this part of the die has respected the inner design of the matrix. This would suggest that the defacing was done with a large amount of care and relative skill enabling the removal of only one part of the inscription. This may also suggest that the seal was continued to be used after the defacing. The act of defacing is likely to have occurred before the artefact was discarded as an identical patinated surface exists. The inscription is in blackletter script and written in Latin. It reads Sigilm / Subnon / C (or possibly O)[.......]P. The parts of the inscription are separated with similar leaf or branch like motifs as described above. The vast majority of the inscription is formed from lower case letters, however the initial S in Sigilm and Subnon are capitals. Also in the inscription the n's are unbarred. The transcription of the seal is difficult owing to the section being removed; sigilm is short for sigillum meaning seal, subnon is best translated as subnoto meaning mark beneath or possibly hide beneath and the final missing section probably had the name of either the owner or possibly alluding to them. When complete the inscription would have meant the seal of C(O) ......p? marked beneath. This inscription is enclosed by a similar border to that described above, which extends around the outer edge of the die. The seal matrix is of a dark mid-green colour with an even well formed patina. This has been slightly abraded around the outer edge of the die, and some very small spots of light green corrosion are present. However, overall all the seal is in exceptional condition. The quality of this example is very good and the workmanship is extremely high suggesting that it was made for and used by someone of high standing within the community; the use of bronze though would suggest that it was a functional rather than status piece. Irene Szymanski comments that: The removal of sections of seal matrices is rare, however it is more common in the flat-backed matrices, doubtless because it was easier to accomplish (for an example recorded by the PAS see IHS-66DF62). The purpose is generally accepted as being the need to destroy a matrix on the owner's death; in this case, if the owner was someone's deputy, then the death of the master would also make his servants' seals invalid if acting on his/her behalf. The overall design of the central motif is similar to that of the Black Prince (Edward of Woodstock 1330-1376) whose emblem was the three feathers (now associated with the Prince of Wales). Similar feather designs and blackletter script can be seen in Brian Spencer's "Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges", 1998, p. 273-278, figs. 266 270 specifically fig 266 which shows one of his mourning badges. The other designs in this volume show single feathers, but the similarity of both feather and script is clear. The dating of the seal matrix is reliant on the use of the blackletter script does not appear on matrices until about 1355 at the earliest, and then only on the wealthiest matrices. The style of the matrix would suggest a date between 1355 and c.1450. The link between the seal matrix and the Black Prince arms is interesting; however, the general form of the image would have been very popular during this period especially after the death of the Black Prince in 1376. This is shown through the large numbers of mourning badges known from this period and the cult associated with the Black Prince. Sincere thanks are extended to Irene Szymanski for the comments and information much of which has been used above to create this record.
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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