SEAL MATRIX

Late 13th/ 14th century copper alloy seal matrix, faceted with a conical handle, bent as it extends into its pierced knop.
The handle has six faces and a trefoil knop, with a 2mm diameter piercing. The knop is bound by three collars.
The matrix itself is rather worn around the edge, which has resulted in some of the legend being lost. At the centre are two figures, one male, one female, facing each other in profile. The heads seem rather enlarged and the dress typical of late 13th/ 14th century. A point at the very centre of the matrix was probably where the compass was inserted to scribe the incision for the legend. This is quite an unusual find though is undoubtedly for this reason as it is dead centre for the legend!
Above and between the figures is a heraldic depiction within a circle/ ?shield. A cross is made up of four lines of two diamonds on a speckled background. Perhaps the figures are husband and wife and the shield the amalgamation of their families, perhaps produced for their wedding.
The legend reads S'IOhNANNIS CHE[ ] followed by a three-leafed motif. This is quite unusual and suggests it was to fill space left at the end of the name, which was quite short. This further supported by the fact that Johannis is spelled out in full; quite often the first name is shortened as the surname was seen as being more important. The usual + at the beginning of the legend is perhaps replaced by the heraldry.
The missing letters of the legend are at the point where the matrix is rather worn. However, it is likely there were only three letters from examining their 'stumps'. Added to the fact we already know the name is in full, we can assume the surname has six letters and begins CHE. However from examining the Heraldry literature there is no family whose name begins CHE who has the heraldic design seen on this matrix, and without the colours of the heraldry it is difficult to tell which family it might be - it is not an unusual design. It is equally possible that CHE stands for a place (Chester, perhaps?) but the heraldry could also be made up - that is designed by the family but not recorded anywhere - in which case we cannot trace it.
The matrix itself is 20mm in diameter and stands (bent) to 24.5mm. It weighs 9.99g.