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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: SOM-8B0EC3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Medieval flat pointed oval (vessica-shaped) cast lead-alloy seal matrix. The face has various indents but no clear design and may have been unfinished. The sides are genrally rounded but in one small area comes to a sharper edge with a flatter front suggesting it is complete and the rest perhaps unfinished. On the back is a raised lump at one end which is squashed to one side and appears to be an unfinished loop or D-shape. Down the centre runs a raised line which turns into a fluer de lis at the end opposite the lump. There are small raised drop-shapes between the petals of the fleur de lis. It is 31.2mm long, 22.2mm wide and 5.7mm thick; 9.3mm including the lump; it weighs 21.83 grams.
Harvey and McGuiness (1996, p.79) suggest that this type of pointed oval seal became popular in the early 13th century, particularly with women and clerics. Raised designs on the back are sometimes found on these seals. There was a change in styles of seals at the end of the 13th century when they generally became smaller and more generic (ibid. p.88), so this matrix is likely to predate this.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 31.2 mm
Width: 22.2 mm
Thickness: 9.3 mm
Weight: 21.83 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 5th March 2012
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC reciept 20733
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: South Somerset (District)
To be known as: Ilchester
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey, P.D.A. and McGuinness, A. | 1996 | A Guide to British Medieval Seals | London | British Library and Public Record Office |
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Timeline of associated dates
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