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Description: | A cast lead alloy seal matrix of Medieval date, about AD 1200 - 1300. In form it is a flat, pointed oval with a stiffening ridge and decorative moulding on the back. The face of the matrix carries the device of a curved, S shaped line with spurs projecting from it (perhaps a pine branch or feather) within an oval line border. The surrounding legend reads: +S' THOM' F' ALLEXD' (Seal of Thomas, son of Alexander).On the reverse is a D shaped flat suspension loop with a central perforation, positioned at one end. The moulded decoration on the reverse consists of two almost closed crescents, one on either side of the central stiffening ridge adjacent to the suspension loop, each containing a single large pellet. There is a quatrefoil of small pellets above each of these crescents, and a single small pellet beneath each crescent. A single, longitudinal arc beneath each crescent reaches to the end of the matrix. The whole design is a trefoil. The matrix has a creamy patina. It is 34.49mm long, 23.8mm thick and 8.5mm thick. It weighs 21.54gm.A number of decorated examples of this type of matrix are recorded on the database: see for example SWYOR-E47505, KENT-74BFF7 and SF-241221. The general style suggests a 13th century date. Compare SOM-D01BCC which cites Harvey and McGuiness 1996:80.
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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