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Description: | A copper-alloy seal matrix of Medieval date.The damaged printing face would originally have been circular in plan. When printed, the central image shows a quadruped resembling a mouse or squirrel, standing left, rampant (i.e. on its hind legs). The legend, which extends around the circumference, is poorly executed and difficult to decipher, but probably reads '*S['VM] LEO FORTI', which is a variation on the more common inscription 'S'VM LEO FORTIS', meaning 'I am a strong/courageous lion'. The handle is of hexagonal section, extending vertically upwards from behind the printing face. It tapers towards the top, where it terminates in a perforated trefoil loop with moulded collars and grooves at its base.Dimensions: 23.2mm high, 18mm wide (diameter of printing face). Weight: 7.35g.According to Harvey and McGuinness, unnamed personal seal matrices of this type were probably made in the 14th century (1996: 88-93). The PAS database contains several matrices bearing similar legends and images, with NARC-DA89B7, from Sheinton, Shropshire, being a particularly close parallel.
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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