SEAL MATRIX

Late 17th- or early 18th-century copper-alloy seal matrix, worthy of recording as it is so odd. It is roughly sub-triangular with a hollow sub-rectangular cross-section. The apex has a collar with a screw thread inside. Below this is a triangular lobe decorated on either face with an engraved chevron with nicks inside either line, with some very fine vertical grooving (like that often found on book clasps) around. Below this lobe is a narrowed concave waist, and then a wide rounded lobe decorated on each face with an engraved border and three interlocking apex-to-apex triangles (two above and one below). Each has the same short engraved nicks as the chevron above, and there is more fine vertical grooving around. At the bottom is a solid flaring foot with an engraved oval die on the bottom. The die has a crest, now slightly damaged but with a clear straight line representing the wreath, and a winged animal above with short pointed wing and a line of dots like a mane along the neck. It is possibly a pelican, a wyvern or a dragon. The use of this object is unclear; it seems a little too heavy to be the top of a pen.