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Description: | Copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). Originally the die was circular and now is roughly oval in plan due to combination of old breaks and abrasion. The reverse originally rose to form a pendant / suspension loop but is now broken. The body of the matrix is a hexagonal pedestal formed from six tapering sides which rise to the mid-point and terminate in a series of moulded bands. The pierced loop would have extended above this but is now lost. A transverse hole has been drilled through the moulded bands and the remains of iron wire is present; this suggests that the seal was broken during its functional life and was repaired. The iron has decayed and stained the surrounding area with a brownish red corrosion product (rust). One of the panels is marked - near the edge - by a single incised saltire shaped cross. This mark helps the owner / user align the seal vertically during use - due to the poor nature of the marking it is likely to have been done by the owner with a knife point rather than by the person who cut the design into the seal. The die face depicts a centrally positioned triangular shield with a vertically aligned cross with bi-furcated terminals (cross moline / cross cercelée) emblazoned. In the upper corners (between the arms of the cross) are small single fluer-de-lis. All these elements are deeply cut and well proportioned. The shield is enclosed by a single incised line which separates it from the inscription. The inscription is also well cut and evenly proportioned, it is incomplete due to abrasion and surface loss caused by movement in the ploughsoil. The inscription reads: + S' ROB'T. O?[] ESQVIR. This can be translated as the Seal of Robert ??? Esquire (an Esquire is an apprentice to a Knight or knight in training). The matrix is of a mid greenish grey colour with an even but abraded patina. 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 thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1200-1400.The seal measures: 17.2mm length, 17.5mm width and rises to a height of 11.6mm. It weighs 3.17 grams.Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. John Cherry for his opinion and expertise in compiling this description.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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