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Description: | Cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is broadly circular in plan with a diameter of 19.8mm. The reverse rises to a height of 20.6mm terminating in a pointed loop perforated by an irregular lozenge (diamond) shaped quatrefoil. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six irregular tapering sides. These terminate in a single moulded band above which a stepped quatrefoil shaped pointed loop extends. Two very faint punched / incised marks - dots - are present on the upper face very close to the rim / edge; these indicate the direction of the seal face. The seal matrix weighs 7.91 grams.The die / seal face is well preserved. The central device of the seal is unusual, the initial cross in the inscription descends to the mid point of the seal terminating in a point and forming a cross shaped staff. To either side of this cross and conjoined to the base are two irregular curvi-linear elements that mirror one another; both of these have forked / bifurcated terminals. Below the staff in the lower half of the field are the letters IhC. The h has an ornate scroll foot and the C has a round back and is closed. The field is enclosed within a ring of pellets forming a rope like pattern in the impression; the staff cuts through this ring. The inscription is well formed and well cut, being evenly spaced and relatively regular (each letter is a similar shape and size). The inscription reads EST AMOR MEVS. All the letters have serrif terminals to their uprights and terminals. The E's are closed the R has a wedge shaped foot, the A has a very square shaped top and is barred. The translation of the Latin inscription reads: Jesus (abbreviated to IhC) is my love / Jesus is my friend / or Jesus loves me.The matrix is of a mid-dark green colour with an even polished patina. From the seal matrixes size and the image it depicts, it was most likely to represent a private personal / devotional seal. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400.A number of these seals with similar mottos are known and several have been recorded on the PAS database: specificallySF-AFDF21Great Waldingfield, Suffolkhttp://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/123261LVPL-B7B394http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/214774Elkesley, NottinghamshireNLM-4F4857http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/78434Kirton In Lindsey, North Lincs
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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