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Description: | Description: A seal matrix, with a decorative handle - dating from the 16th - 17th century. The seal matrix was made in silver. The face is oval and flat. The reverse of the face has a slightly domed appears, with a secondary decorative oval plate of silver attached to it. Extending up from this plate is the handle. The handle starts with a circular section and rises into a crescent shaped element. At either end the crescent has been broken, so it is impossible to see how the seal matrices handle continued beyond this point. The breaks are well worn. The face depicts the crude image of a bee keeper, standing on an exergual line. In front of him there is a bell-shaped beehive, mounted on four thin legs, formed from two A-frames. There are seven bees flying above. The bees have been formed from simple, stylized punches. The whole design is enclosed within an incised border. There is no mark on the reverse of the face to indicate to the user of the seal matrix, which way around it goes. The surface is well-preserved and survives in a very good condition. The silver has begun to grow a grey tarnish.
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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