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Description: | Silver shield-shaped Medieval seal matrix with a re-used red Roman intaglio set in the centre. The intaglio has come loose, it is sub-circular in plan. The inscription around the edge of the seal reads '+ : SIGILL : SECRETI :'The ovoid carnelian intaglio is damaged along its left-hand side but the remaining part is very finely engraved with a scene from Homer's Odyssey. To the right is shown the figure of a bearded Ulysses wearing a close fitting cap (pileus) and drapery which covers his torso and extended right leg and hangs behind his back. He is leaning backwards with his weight on his left leg and both arms, thrust forwards, proffers a shallow vessel containing wine. To his left stands a figure of Polyphemus, one of the Cyclops, to whom the wine is being proffered, who is shown bearded and muscular; he appears to be turning away from Ulysses, his left arm bent back in towards his body. At Polyphemus' feet might possibly be another kneeling figure, perhaps one of Ulysses' captured men. The gem appears to have been re-cut to fit the mount which may be the cause of the damage on the left side.Discussion: the subject matter is unusual for a British intaglio, which may suggest it was imported in the Middle Ages (Henig pers. comm.). The only possible parallel from Britain is an amethyst intaglio showing a figure of Ulysses advancing left in Craven Museum, Yorkshire (Henig & King 2003). Date: Medieval, c13-14th century; intaglio c. 1st c. AD.Dimensions: Intaglio: Length 12.64mm; Width 10.43mm; Thickness 3.24mm; Weighing 0.6g. Seal: Length 27.89mm; Width 23.22mm; Thickness 3.36mm; Weighing 5.8g . The age and precious metal content of this item qualify it as treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996. The author is grateful to Dr Martin Henig for his assistance with identifying the subject matter on the gem.Frances McIntosh
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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INTAGLIO
Treasure case: 2011 T38PAS ID:…
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