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Description: | A cast copper-alloy complete Medieval seal matrix, c. 14th century AD. The seal matrix itself is comprised of an open work trefoil handle suspension loop, followed by a collar composed of three raised ridges, which widens into a facetted hexagonal oval seal base with oval seal matrix. One of the facets has been decorated with four incised dots, positioned in the shape of a lozenge. The seal matrix itself has a central illustration of the archetypal 'Pelican in its Piety', which depicts a pelican piercing its own breast to feed its chicks positioned in a next below the pelican. The next seems to be perched on top of either an animal, such as a lion, or bush of some sort, with flower buds emanating out of either side of the next. This motif is known to be a symbol of Christ's sacrfice to mankind. Surrounding this depiction in the central oval cell is a legend reading: * JE SV LIOVN FORTE LELOVL, a (perhaps mistaken) variant of 'I am the strong and loyal lion'. The seal matrix is of an even dark green patina and in excellent condition, with only slightly damage to the outer edge of the seal matrix and a small amount of wear on the openwork trefoil suspension loop. It measures 28.3 mm high, with a seal matrix that measures 20.9 mm long and 16.1 mm wide; the suspension loop is 4.7 mm thick and the seal matrix weighs 14.4 grams.
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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