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Description: | An incomplete Medieval copper alloy seal matrix, dating AD1100-1450. The seal die is circular with a faceted handle and a loop at the top, which is now broken. There is a double collar separating the handle from the loop. The die depicts a bird, probably a bird of prey, on a gloved hand. This suggests a falconry scene. The inscription reads RECLAMAT LE MVSCHET - "Call back the sparrow-hawk." This is a clear reference to the falconry emblem. Therefore, the seal matrix may once have belonged to a falconer.No parallels for the inscription have been found, though many seal matrices with similar designs have references to falconry, cf. LIN-F93EF4. The inscription is in Anglo-Norman, a language used in Britain from the 12th to early 15th century. Dr Malcolm Jones notes the word "mvschet" (or variants) does not appear in the Anglo-Norman Dictionary, but appears as "musket(e)" in the Middle English Dictionary (Jones, pers comm - 22.08.2016).Dimensions: diameter of die: 18.86 mm; height: 16.05 mm; weight: 6.43g.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
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