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Description: | A complete cast copper-alloy medieval seal matrix of conical form (c. 14th century AD). The handle is hexagonally faceted. It has a distinct moulded ridged collar with a ridge above and below. The suspension loop above is trefoil, bevelled on both faces, with a central sub-quatrefoil perforation. The circular die features a Lamb of God sitting right in intaglio (facing left on the seal) within a border formed of small punches. The lamb (Agnus Dei) has a raised head looking at a staff. The lamb's legs are folded under him, taken to represent genuflection. A three-tailed banner flies from the staff. The top of the staff extends into the lettering area, and forms the cross which opens the legend, whilst the base is obscured by the lamb's back. The impersonal legend reads '+ ECCE AGNVS DE' (cf. Read 2001, 74; ref. 594 for similar), a variant of the common inscription 'ECCE AGNVS DEI' (see, for example, Harvey and McGuinness 1996, 114). The artefact has an even dark grey patina with some pitting.
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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Seal Matrix
Description: Unseen, recorded from photographs.…
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