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Description: | Cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is circular in plan with a diameter of 20.5mm. The reverse rises to a height of 21.7mm terminating in a worn oval perforated loop. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six irregular tapering sides. This terminates in a single molded band and the loop. The pedestal is positioned at the centre of the reverse of the die and the seal face is relatively thick. One the outer edge of the reverse face is positioned a small circular punched mark - this coincides with the start of the inscription on the die and probably acted as a marker for the seals user. The seal matrix weighs 9.89 grams.The die / seal face depicts a very stylised design possibly a representation of the Agnus Dei 'Lamb of God'. The design is made up of a series of curvi-linear and linear lines which are well cut into the face of the seal. The central element of the design (lamb) is formed from five elements forming a broad L shape with a curved (slightly billed) head and sub-rectangular body. The head might actually be that of an eagle (symbol of St John) but this design would be highly usual. The rear leg is contained within the rectangle and is formed from an incised circle. This circle is pierced by a vertical standard with a crucifix terminal and a pendant formed from two horizontal lines. The central design is enclosed within a circular motif created from a continuous curvi-linear (circular) line. Around the edge of the die, outside the boarder is an inscription. This has been partially damaged by abrasion but probably reads: + S. RIC' LEGAR' PLICT • or possibly S. RIC' LEGAR' RENT • . The inscription itself has been heavily cut into the die with some skill although parts of the inscription are a little cramped. In the inscription the A is barred, the C and E are closed, and the R is formed with a wedge shaped tail. It is possible from the inscription to suggest some possible interpretations in that it could be read as the seal (the initial S is a contraction of the word sigillum (seal)) of Richard (or some derivation). LEGAR could be interpreted as being derived from the Latin legatus (message) and if the last part reads PLICT this again could be derived from plico (to fold). This would mean the seal matrix could be interpreted as the sealed folded message from Richard.The matrix is of a mid-dark green colour with an even polished patina. This patina has been lost in places through abrasion. The worst affected areas are on a small section of the outer face of the seal and a section on the reverse. The edges of the seal have also been abraded in the ploughsoil. There are no areas of light green active powdery corrosion present - although the metal colour on the abraded areas is a mid grey colour. From the seal matrixes size and the image it depicts, it was most likely to represent a private personal seal of devotional nature. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400. A large number of similar seals depicting the Lamb of God have been recorded by the PAS and it is a relatively common medieval symbol.
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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