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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: SWYOR-456818
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Copper alloy medieval seal matrix dating to the 14th century. The matrix has a round flat face which tapers into a faceted handle with evidence of gilding. There is a small perforation at the top of the handle for suspension.
The matrix has a central motif of a man's bearded face in profile with a bird, perhaps a duck, on top of his head. The ducks bill droops down the back of the man's neck.
The legend on the seal is quite worn and difficult to decipher; it seems to be set between beaded lines. It appears to read * IE SV SEL D AMOR (I am a seal of love) with the last two letters being ligated. The seal weighs 6.37g and measures 19.1mm in length, 18.5mm in diameter.
The device of a bird forming a hat on a man's head is used on several other seal matrices (e.g. IHS-11D573 and IHS-11FFA4, and in combination with another unadorned head at IHS-4C0364). It is interpreted as the figure of a fool or jester, and can be coupled with a range of inscriptions. Here it seems to indicate the foolishness of love.
Class:
anonymous
Inscription:
* IE SV SEL D AMOR
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: AD 1300
Date to: AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 19.1 mm
Weight: 6.37 g
Diameter: 18.5 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st October 2005
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Doncaster (Metropolitan District)
District: Doncaster (Metropolitan District)
To be known as: Tickhill
Spatial coordinates
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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