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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy pointed oval seal matrix of Medieval, probable thirteenth or fourteenth century date (AD 1200 - AD 1400). Length 27.1mm, width 16.3mm and 7.9mm thick. Weight: 5.69g.The die depicts a creature above a chalice. This creature may possibly be a bird. The inscription is set within a pointed oval plain-lined border concentric with the outline edge of the seal. It is possible to identify the whole of this inscription even though the matrix is corroded or worn in places. The inscription starts at 12 o' clock with a six-pointed star and from an impression reads from right to left: *S'NICOLAI CAPELLI, which is best translated as "the seal of the chapel of Nicholas"The reverse face is slightly convex except for the central longitudinal mid-rib the top of which is in the form of a loop to enable the seal to be suspended. The rib tapers slightly, from the top towards the bottom. At the top it has a width of 2.8mm and the width at the bottom is about 1.8mm. The loop at the top has a diameter of 3.2mm. At each side of the rib the rear face is slightly convex. The seal matrix is corroded in places and has a shiny dark green patina. Most of the edges are missing due to corrosion or old breaks.Mrs Irene Szymanski writes of a similar matrix from Lincoln (IHS-2544F5) "designed to be used by the incumbent of a particular chapel, presumably when acknowledging receipt of goods donated or the like". She has commented on matrices with chalices that "it is a very reasonable assumption that they belonged to priests in all cases; definitely so in the case of this Isle of Wight example".This Isle of Wight matrix may possibly have belonged to the Chapel of St Nicholas in Castro which was situated inside Carisbrooke Castle and is first mentioned in Domesday Book. It was endowed with 13 portions of tithe land throughout the Isle of Wight, which constituted the parish of St Nicholas (Hockey 1982, 'Insula Vecta: The Isle of Wight in the Middle Ages'. 2-4. London: Phillimore).Mrs Irene Szymanski has provided the interpretation of the device and inscription of this matrix.
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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