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Description: | Cast copper alloy seal matrix of medieval date (1200 - 1400 AD). The seal matrix is circular in plan. The edges have been heavily abraded.. The front face is relatively flat and decorated with a crisp well cut design. The reverse face is plain and undecorated. It has a vertical cast rib which divides the reverse evenly into two parts. The upper end expands in thickness and is pierced by a single circular suspension loop (diameter 2.4mm), now broken. This loop enables the matrix to be suspended as well as being lifted cleanly from the wax seal impression. The vertical bar is aligned with the inscription on the die of the seal. The seal matrix measures 19.6mm in diameter, is 6mm thick across loop and 2.5mm thick across matrix. It weighs 4.01 grams. The front face of the matrix depicts a well formed and neatly cut design contained within an incised circle. At the centre of the matrix is a finely cut relatively deep device of a rampant lion. The lion has a well cut head with gaping mouth and bared teeth. The main is depicted in opposing rows of incised annulets, and the paws are shaggy showing bared claws and hairy fetlocks (lower leg). The lower body is also well cut and proportioned, with large upper legs and detailed paws. The tail curves upwards in an inverted S behind the leg and terminates in a distinct and well shaped stylised hairy tuft. The inscription is contained by two incised bands and reads + S'. V(A)ILNI DEhE: However the matrix is much worn and this interpretation may not be accurate, it is possible that it may read + C'. V(A)ILNI DONE: but this makes less sense than the first. In the inscription most of the letters are distinctly waisted, the E is closed with a curved back and the h is lower case (similar to that seen on contemporary coinage). The lettering is relatively neat and well cut being evenly spaced. It is possible that this seal matrix has been silver or tin washed as several areas of light grey coloured surface are present.The matrix is of a light-mid grey green colour with a much abraded polished patina. Where abrasion has removed the surface a purple brown coloured corrosion product is present. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1200-1400. Similar personal seals can be seen in the Medieval Catalogue of Salisbury Museum, these are all dated within this time period.
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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