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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: NLM-F95023
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Copper alloy seal matrix. An oval matrix at the end of a facetted hexagonal section tapered handle with a collared lozenge-shaped apical suspension loop, now rounded by wear. A central motif depicts a bird perched on the edge of its nest feeding three chicks below; the angle of the head and a pendent strip in the bill of the bird may suggest the subject to be the Pelican in its Piety, a type or representation of Christ [like Christ caring for the world through his self-sacrifice, the pelican was thought to feed its young with blood drawn from its breast]. Malcolm Jones kindly corrects an initial reading [see below], commenting: 'It's just the usual SVM PELLI CAnVS DEI -- but the stem of the branch supporting the nest invades the border (looking not unlike a second letter 'I') and the expected N is a lower-case 'n' '; and meaning I am the divine pelican. Suggested date: Medieval, 1250-1300
Length (matrix): 21.7mm, Width: 18.2mm, Height: 22.8mm, Weight: 8.76gms
Notes:
Formerly read as SV LI PELLI[-]D[--]VS DEI, by this reporter.
Inscription:
SVM PELLI CAnVS DEI
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 21.7 mm
Height: 22.8 mm
Width: 18.2 mm
Weight: 8.76 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 14th October 2021
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: NLM48389
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Decoration style: Figurative
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: East Lindsey (District)
To be known as: Binbrook
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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