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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: SUSS-D8AC76
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Cast copper alloy pedestal type seal martix with a oval die from which rises the flattened handle in the form of a trefoil on a short stem. The upper loop of the trefoil is broken with an old break, the lower side lobes have circular indents on one side that do not go through and a circular piercing between them. The die has a carved design of a bird with outstretched wings, probably a phoenix. The die is 14.9mm by 13.6mm; it is 23.1mm tall, the handle is 15.2mm wide by 7.4mm thick; it weighs 4.64 grams.
Various similar matrices, usual with complete piercings in the handle are recording on the database with a mix of figurative designs and, most commonly, initials with a combined with a design such as a tree (e.g. CPAT-10F546, BH-7A78F5 and GLO-BC88F2). They are thought to be 17th century in date. An almost identical seal matrix was published by B Read (1995: 152, no.1028) with a similar bird design and similar handle (although on that example one of the side indents has been fettled to make a hole); that example was found in Devon and identified as 17th century.
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 23.1 mm
Width: 15.2 mm
Thickness: 13.6 mm
Weight: 4.64 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 22nd August 2009
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Ashford (District)
To be known as: Isle of Oxney
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read, B. | 1995 | History Beneath our Feet (1995) | Ipswich | Anglia Publishing | 152 | 1028 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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