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Description: | Cast copper alloy seal matrix of medieval date (1200 - 1400 AD). The seal matrix is broadly triangular (shield shaped) in plan and sub-rectangular in cross section. The edges have been heavily abraded resulting in the loss of most of the inscription and the general condition of the artefact is worn. The front face is relatively flat - the central design is enclosed within a neat triangle - different in shape to the plan of the object. The design is worn and either a debased spread eagle or possibly a spread fleur-de-lis. The inscription is almost lost through abrasion; it was cut on all three sides of the triangle / shield and what remains suggests that it was cut evenly deeply and neatly. The inscription cannot be read and only a few partial elements of letters can be picked out; these letters are similar in form to those seen in the late 13th and 14th centuries. The reverse face of the matrix 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. This is heavily abraded and only partially survives. The loop enabled 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 20.9mm length, 17.2mm width, is 5.4mm thick across loop and 2.9mm thick across matrix. It weighs 4.39 grams. The matrix is of a light-mid brown green colour with a much abraded patina. Where abrasion has removed the surface a light green 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 Catalogue of Seals in the National Museum of Wales (Vol 2), specifically D.131 dated to the late 13th Century.
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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