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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: LANCUM-0A4305
Object type certainty: Certain
Cast cu-alloy seal matrix dating from the medieval period, i.e. c. AD1300-1500. The matrix itself is complete but the small suspension loop at the top is missing. The matrix oval in shape with seven facets curving up towards the small handle. The inscription and image are complete. The image display a fox and a hare sitting opposite each other, between them a gaming board with nine fields (similar to tic tac toe). Both animals have a paws raised, possibly grabbing or reaching out for the three dots between their heads which may be gaming counters or dice. The inscription probably reads: "INS[...]REINODOISMIRC
Irene Szymanski adds that this seal matrix is part of the "world upside-down" group of seal matrices, where you see things inverted; another popular matrix from the group ahs a hare carrying a bow and arrow riding on the back of a hound - the hunted has thus turned into the hunter. The theme is also very popular in manuscript marginalia. A good reference on the topic is Christa Grössinger, The World Upside-Down: English Misericords (London, Harvey Miller, 1997), and another Lilian M.C. Randall, Images in the Margins of Gothic Manuscripts (Berkeley & Los Angeles, University of California Press, 1966).
There is a number of parallels recorded on the PAS database, e.g. (IHS-EEC376 , IHS-BBD2D2 , IHS-BBF8F2 and others. The legends are quite varied, although they often refer humourously to the scene depicted as in the first example quoted, where it is "I am a good hunter". Other examples use stock inscriptions, and there is one where the owner's name is used. However, this seal matrix is too worn to be sure what the inscription originally was.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Period to: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Length: 18.72 mm
Height: 13.79 mm
Width: 16.14 mm
Weight: 5.68 g
Quantity: 1
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Manufacture method: Cast [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Complete [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Spatial data
Region: North West
County: Cumbria
District: Barrow In Furness
To be known as: Dalton
Method of discovery: Metal detector
[scope notes]
General landuse: Grassland, Heathland [scope notes]
Specific landuse: Character undetermined [scope notes]
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 11th February 2011
Personal details
Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Mrs Dot Boughton
- [
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Identified by: Mrs Dot Boughton - [view all attributed records]
Secondary identifier: Mrs Irene Szymanski - [view all attributed records]
Other reference numbers
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Audit data
Created:
Wednesday 16th March 2011
Updated: Thursday 31st March 2011
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