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Description: | TREASURE CASE: 2015 T472.A complete silver seal matrix of medieval date with an inlaid Roman intaglio possibly dating from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD.The seal matrix is a pointed-oval or vesica shape with a large circular lug for attachment, and to aid in holding the matrix while impressing it, set on the reverse. The reverse has a deep bevelled edge, presumably to accommodate the depth of the bezel, and a flat central panel. The bevelled edge appears to be made from silver sheet; there is a clear line between it and the central panel, and it has fractured at the end opposite the lug.The lug has an elaborate integral fleur-de-lis terminal extending over the flattened central panel of the reverse. It is not clear (from an image) exactly how the lug and lis are fixed to the rest of the matrix; the lis may be cast integrally with the central panel, and perhaps the lug was cast with the lis and soldered to the sheet bevel.The obverse of the seal matrix has an engraved legend within beaded borders which reads: + SECRETI NVNCIVS (Secret Messenger). The second N has the uprights very close together and the bar of the N can only just be seen.The oval intaglio is set in the centre of the matrix within a pointed-oval beaded border which also frames the base of the surrounding legend. Pointed crescentic panels are present in the silver surface of the matrix to either end of the intaglio as a result in the shape variation between the oval intaglio and its pointed-oval border. In the space to the left of the intaglio (towards the bottom of the matrix) a crescent moon is engraved (horns upwards) and a six-pointed star is present to the opposite side (towards the top, under the cross initial mark of the inscription).The intaglio is therefore the right way up when the matrix is held with the cross initial mark to the right (on an impression, to the left). It is made of a red stone, possibly agate, jasper or carnelian, and is engraved with a standing winged Victory facing right (on the matrix) holding a wreath aloft. Victory faces a seated male figure holding a spear in his left hand with his right hand raised over the head of a large bird, possibly an eagle or cockerel, standing at his feet. This is likely to represent a winged messenger saluting the god Jove (or Jupiter).Greek letters are inscribed within the field of the matrix. The symbol for Rho is behind Victory, below the wings. Pi is above the wreath, Omicron and Nu are below with Epsilon beneath and Lambda is behind the seated figure.The inscribed medieval legend on the matrix is in retrograde but the Greek lettering on the intaglio is not, because it was not originally intended to be used in such a fashion.Martin Henig (2008) discusses the reuse of ancient intaglios in medieval seals and states that such objects were often employed as privy or counter-seals by officials and were more intimate and personal in nature than their official counterparts.Numerous medieval seal matrices with re-used Roman intaglios have been reported through the Treasure Act 1996, including 2010T191 (WILT-090CD8), 2010T327 (LVPL-B96A97), 2012T416 (SUSS-628524) and 2013T884 (WAW-5AA212). All of these employ different devices and legends.2006T375 (IOW-944917) depicts a winged Victory with moon and stars. In a Roman context this is believed to symbolise the eternity of Imperial Victory, though Henig (2002, p.31) theorises that the medieval mind-set may have viewed this image as an allusion to Christ, based on images from the Book of Revelations. It is therefore possible that the use of the Victory flanked by moon and star on the current example may have taken on a similar meaning, though the potential relation to the remaining imagery and Greek lettering remains unclear.It is unclear exactly how Roman intaglios came to be reused in such quantities throughout the medieval period. It is possible that they were found locally by peasants working the land and passed to their lords, though it is equally possible that that they were imported for specific uses. The way in which such intaglios were viewed and interpreted by the medieval people is also an interesting topic regarding the impact of one civilisation on another.Date:Medieval: 12th-14th CenturyDimensions:Length: 30.1mm; Width: 22.3mm; Thickness: 8.7mm; Weight: 6.9g.Discussion:In terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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