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Description: | A medieval copper alloy seal matrix with a conical but hexagonal in section handle, terminating in a lozenge shaped suspension loop with circular perforation. The device is of a long-eared hare riding a dog. The hare holds a hunting horn which he is blowing.Irene Szymanski has commented on a similar matrix as follows: "This entertaining little matrix bears a subject often found in the marginalia of mediaeval manuscripts, "the world upside down", i.e., examples of reversals of the norm: favoured topics include women taking on men's rôles and animals those of humans (see ref. for further details). This seal illustrates a double joke, for not only is the hare taking on a man's rôle, but a hunting dog is being ridden by his normal prey, a hare, who is blowing a hunting-horn into the bargain."The legend reads: "SOHOV ROBEN" which is in a form of French. A colloquial translation could be 'Tally-ho Fido'! 'Sohov' is a French hunting cry that would probably have been familiar to everyone in the countryside. 'Roben' was probably a stereotypical and generic name for a hound, and is probably a derivative of 'Robin' (Irene Szymanski record sheet 117a, unpublished).The device area is separated from the legend by a beaded line; a similar line marks the outer edge of the matrix. Measurements: 18.3 mm diameter face, 19.3 mm high; weight 6.81g. The matrix dates from the thirteenth or fourteenth century. A parallel to this is found on the PAS database, record number IHS-EEC376.
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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