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Description: | Copper-alloy medieval seal matrix dating to the 14th century, with several unusual features. Firstly, although the matrix does not have a heraldic design, it is shield-shaped. Secondly, the central motif appears to be a bird with a cockerel?s tail upon the back of another animal with a long straight tail. It is not immediately clear which animal the dragon-like head with open jaws belongs to, but the branch in front appears to be merely a space-filler. This motif may show a hawk or falcon bringing down prey, and is not in itself remarkable ? the two protagonists are often reversed, with the hunter caught by the hunted ? but the inscription across the top is a little strange. It is easiest seen on the matrix itself rather than the impression, and reads LEL SV (I am loyal).
Normally, seal matrices with hunting motifs are circular and have an inscription reading something like ?alas ie su pris? (alas, I am caught). It is thought that this is an amatory allusion, the user of the seal having been ?caught? by the charms of the receiver of the letter. Here, though, it seems that the inscription, although still amatory, is not very appropriate ? or is, perhaps, ironic.
The matrix handle is faceted and tapers to a small circular suspension loop at the top. The matrix weighs 6.45g and measures 19.5mm in length, 17.2mm in width and 14.2mm in thickness. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 1300
1400 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Anna Marshall | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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