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SEAL MATRIX

Unique ID: IHS-E3E818

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A copper alloy seal matrix with hexagonal waisted handle terminating in a collar and rhomboid suspension loop with circular aperture above.. Handle intact. stem slightly distorted; small mark on back indicates top. Device: in the centre, a palm-like tree with two branches, each terminating in tightly-packed long leaves. On the left, a young man in profile facing right, clean shaven and with jaw-length hair ending in tight ringlets; on the right, a woman in profile facing left, much of her hair hidden by a fitted coif but a few curls visible below on her neck. Device separated from legend by a neat beaded line; a similar line marks the outer edge of the matrix. Measurements: 17 mm x 22 mm, 25 mm high; weight 10.9 g.

Notes:

The hairstyles and/or headgear of the couple gives some idea of the matrix's likely date; the woman's headcovering is of a type worn by both sexes throughout the 13th century and slightly later, whilst the man's relatively short, curled hair seems to belong to a similar date. An example of a common type of lovers' matrix. Legend is not entirely clear; sixth letter may be a reversed N or H, the latter favoured here, producing a legend of the "amour courtois" type. Many similar matrices recorded, including Sealmat 133a-133c and some in the PRO, dating from 1303 and 1452 respectively. Although the legend, hairstyles and shape of each is different, taken together these matrices do give some idea of the length of time that a popular design can remain in use. The 1452 seal was used by a knight, Thomas, lord de Roos; it may well be that the matrix under discussion on this sheet had a similar type of owner.

Inscription: *ALIVA HE MVN CVERA ("Old French", lit. "elevates she my heart"= "She has elevated my heart").

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: Returned to finder
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1200
Date to: AD 1350

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 22 mm
Width: 17 mm
Weight: 10.9 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st February 2002

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: Originally York Sealmat 133

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast

Spatial metadata

Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Ryedale (District)
Parish or ward: Pickering (Civil Parish)

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Ellis, R.H.	1978	Catalogue of Seals in the Public Record Office: Personal Seals	London	HMSO	vol II, nos. 1962, 2130

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: IHS
Created: 18 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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