Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
CC License:
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Unique ID: SF-65FD57
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A worn cast copper-alloy seal matrix of Medieval date. It has a flat circular die with hexagonally faceted conical terminal that tapers to a lozenge shaped suspension loop with circular aperture. Beneath the suspension loop is a moulded transverse collar formed from three transverse ribs while on the top of the suspension loop is a second, smaller die that is flate and circular in form. This depicts a fleur-de-lis and may perhaps have served as a counter seal to the main die. The main die itself is circular and shows extensive wear and corrosion, particularly around the outer edges. At the centre is a fleur-de-lis motif within an inner circle, the surrounding legend now illegible due to post-depositional wear. The fleurs on both the main and smaller die are aligned in the same direction. This matrix measures 26.85mm in height, 17.70mm in diameter (at main die, 9.57mm at second die), and weighs 12.31g.
The use of a non-heraldic motif and a legend that is non-personal in form, often with religious influences, is typical of seal matrices from the 14th century onwards (Harvey and McGuinness, 1996: 88). This seal is unusual in the presence of a secondary die, perhaps used as a counter seal, at the top of the suspension loop, however it is likely to be of similar 14th century AD date.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Height: 26.85 mm
Weight: 12.31 g
Diameter: 17.7 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st April 2011
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.