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Description: | An incomplete cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is broadly circular in plan with a diameter of 15.8mm. The reverse rises to a height of 17.8mm terminating in a pointed but broken loop. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six irregular tapering sides. These terminate in a moulded band above which a pointed loop extends. One edge of the loop is broken; the break is consistent with wear. Five incised marks - dots - are arranged to form a vertical cross on one of the panel ridges. This mark correlates with the upper edge of the seal die and indicates the direction of the seal face. The seal matrix weighs 3.89 grams.The die / seal face is well preserved. The outer edge of the seal is heavily abraded and some of the inscription is lost. The central device of the seal depicts the profile / bust of a bearded man. He wears a fabric head-dress which is wound around the head and worn over the shoulder hiding part of the face. The profile is slight and not especially well cut - the detailing around the nose, eye and mouth is poor and slightly abstract. The beard is pointy The central design is enclosed within a continuous circular band. Some letters within the inscription intrude upon this band. The inscription is not complete due to a large fracture in one place. From what survives it is possible to suggest that the seal reads * S' [ . .]VNVTE. The inscription starts at 4 o'clock on the die (8 o'clock in the impression) with an irregular eight pointed star formed by interlocking vertical and diagonal lines. The letters are deeply cut - but rather irregular. They have large serif terminals and the E is barred.The matrix is of a mid-dark green colour with an even polished patina. Where damage has occurred a light powdery corrosion is present suggesting that the damage is relatively recent. From the seal matrixes size and the image it depicts, it was most likely to represent a private personal seal. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400.
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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