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Description: | Part of a lead-alloy personal seal matrix, dating from the medieval period.The surviving piece represents approximately one quarter (the top right-hand quarter of the die) from an originally circular matrix. The bottom part has an almost right-angled bend and an irregular edge, suggesting it has been deliberately snapped; the vertical edge, in contrast, is straight and has clearly been cut with a bladed implement. When printed, what remains of the device shows a figure facing right, possibly mounted on horseback, holding an upright sword in his right hand. An angled slash mark that cuts across this design is probably evidence of the deliberate defacement of the matrix. In front of the figure is a vertical groove, which may be part of the design (e.g. a lance or shield) or else is another destruction mark. The remaining legend starts at approximately 8 o'clock and reads '...](P)A[...]G(H/N)TI-(N)'. The damaged apex loop has the remains of a circular perforation, the orientation of which is the same as that of the die itself. There is a crudely incised cross on the reverse, which also has the appearance of a destruction mark.Height: 38.6mm; width: 33.4mm; thickness: 8.5mm. Weight: 30.11g.Seal matrices of this form - circular, of 4.5 to 8cm diameter and depicting am armed knight on horseback - were produced in the 12th and 13th centuries, for use by the aristocracy (Harvey and McGuinness 1996: 43). The Roman lettering on this piece, and the fact that it is single-sided, suggest an early date in the series. The remaining legend is from the end of the inscription and is likely to be part of the name of the family seat.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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