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Description: | A cast lead seal matrix dating to the Medieval period. The object is pointed oval, thick and flat, sub-rectangular in cross-section, commonly known as a vesica seal. The central device is 5 broad oval shapes around a small central circle, making up a five-petal flower.Surrounding this, the legend is set between grooved borders, and reads + S' AVICIE. FIL' ALEX (Seal of Avicie daughter of Alexander). The A and L in Alex are ligated. The engraving is competent and clear.The rear of the object is bevelled at the edges and at the top of the object is a projecting lug which is acts as a handle, but is not pierced to allow suspension. This is at one end of a ridge running nearly the whole length of the rear, with a rounded tip and cross-piece just below the lug. It looks as if it might depict a dagger. The object has a light white patina.Personal seal matrices with names, such as this one, were most popular in the 13th century. It is not particularly unusual to see the name of a woman among matrices recorded on the PAS database, and there is another example of the name Avice at IHS-EA4907.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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