Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: IOW-6A58A8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A complete Medieval cast copper-alloy circular pendant seal matrix (c. 1300-c.1400).
The cone-shaped handle has six distinct facets that form a hexagonal shape in cross-section. It has a quatrefoil-shaped suspension loop with a central circular perforation. The device is enclosed within a beaded circle which forms a border close to the edge of the die. This border encircles two 'entwined' triangles that form a star with six evenly spaced points. At the centre of the star a row of letters: IhS form an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. Letters between each point form an inscription:
IhS/N A S AR(ligated) E N (Jesus of Nazareth)
This seal matrix is drab reddish green with off-white corrosion products on the handle. The handle appears to be worn and the die does not seem to be worn.
Height: 16.7mm; width: 16.2mm; thickness: 15.4mm. Weight: 5.48g.
Similar seal matrices utilising legends relating to Jesus of Nazareth are recorded on The Portable Antiquities Scheme database. For example, see finds: BH-0FDE81; SF-2E5C32; SF-563153; SF7049 and WAW-6E5AD7. See also Harvey and McGuinness (1996: pp. 91, 116). These parallels indicate that this seal dates to the 14th century AD.
Seal matrices with 'intertwined' squares or triangles have been recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. See finds: BH-B995C8; DOR-416095; IHS-BBF8F2; IOW-06BC93; IOW-A9C914; NMS-8C24D3 and WILT-E76D32.
Harvey, P. D. A. and McGuinness, A. 1996. A Guide to British Medieval Seals. London: The British Library and Public Record Office.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Class:
Circular
Sub class: Pendant
Inscription:
IhS/N A S AR(ligated) E N (Jesus of Nazareth)
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 16.7 mm
Width: 16.2 mm
Thickness: 15.4 mm
Weight: 5.48 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 2nd March 2014
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: IOW2014-5-63
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
District: Isle of Wight (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Isle of Wight
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey, P.D.A. and McGuinness, A. | 1996 | A Guide to British Medieval Seals | London | British Library and Public Record Office | 91, 116 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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