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Description: | Lead alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is roughly oval in plan and the reverse rises terminating in a broken - but probably triangular / lis shaped perforated loop. The body of the matrix is a hexagonal pedestal formed from six tapering sides and terminates in a series of moulded bands. The pierced loop extends above this. Each of the hexagonal sides is decorated by a vertical line of dots that descends the mid point of each panel. The body is also a matt grey cream colour possibly suggesting that the surface was originally tinned. There does not seem to be a mark to help orientate the seal during use. The die face depicts a central triangular shaped shield which is enclosed by a tressure of arches being six broad sub-triangular lobes. This design is then enclosed by a single incised oval border that echoes the external edge of the die. Between each of the lobes / arches are single letters although these are mostly lost due to abrasion and corrosion what remains reads TE / V [M?] / ... / VE / ... /. The central shield is emblazoned with two zig-zag lines, one horizontal and one vertical, dividing the shield into quarters, and a six-pointed star in the first quarter (top left in the impression) or a shield quarterly indented throughout in the canton a mullet of six points. The matrix is of a mid greenish grey colour with an even but abraded patina. There are also areas of light grey corrosion present - mostly on the edges of the matrix where abrasion and chipping caused by movement in the plough soil is most evident. From the seal matrixes size, inscription and the image it depicts, it was most likely to represent a private personal seal - probably a counter-seal - although not of the highest calibre of workmanship. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400.Dr. Cheesman, Richmond Herald at the College of Arms has very kindly commented on the emblazed arms - identifying the elements and further suggests that:Identification of a specific family is difficult and that the precise design does not appear in the Dictionary of British Arms, but similar designs are recorded for Richard de Acton (Birch; 1892 Vol II p407 ref: 6765 and 6766) dated to the later 13th and 14th centuries and also a William Fitz Warin who was presumably a cadet of the family of Fulk Fitz Warin whose fine seal just turned up at Little Bedwyn in Wiltshire (PAS record: BERK-FDCFD2). In these cases only the vertical line is zigzag, the horizontal one being straight, but there is a tendency in such designs for both lines to become zigzag. The Dictionary of British Arms lists cases for both Acton and Fitz Warin with "quarterly indented throughout", though without the star. One shouldn't really place too much emphasis on this but Herefordshire is a suitable findspot for the Fitz Warins (their bases being Shropshire and Gloucestershire).The seal matrix measures 20.6mm length, 17.9mm width and rises to a broken height of 19.1mm: it weighs 7.8 grams.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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