SEAL MATRIX

A Medieval cast copper-alloy pedestal seal matrix, probably dating to the early 14th century.

Description: It has a conical handle which tapers before widening with two grooved lines slightly below a flattened pierced terminal, probably to accommodate a chain or cord to allow the seal to be carried about the neck or secured about the person. Rust is present around the piercing maybe evidence of the now missing iron chain. At the base the matrix widens to accommodate the circular die which is engraved with an the so called 'monde renverse' device of a hound riding a hare and blowing a hunting-horn. The inscription which surrounds the device reads ' '+SOHOV [R]O[B]EN' he first part 'SOHOV' is a medieval hunting cry so roughly translates as '+Tally Ho! Robin'. The seal is mottled dark-light green colour except around the suspension loop where orangey-brown rust adheres to it.

Measurements: Weight : 4.31 gm Length : 17.5 mm Diameter : 17.0 mm Loop thickness : 3.2 mm

Discussion: The 'monde renverse' was a populer device on matrices of the period and the hunting cry 'Sohov' is French and popular in the same period witht he two often apeparing on mattrices together. Irene Szymanski has commented on a similar matrix as follows: "This entertaining little matrix bears a subject often found in the marginalia of mediaeval manuscripts, "the world upside down", i.e., examples of reversals of the norm: favoured topics include women taking on men's rôles and animals those of humans (see ref. for further details). This seal illustrates a double joke, for not only is the hare taking on a man's rôle, but a hunting dog is being ridden by his normal prey, a hare, who is blowing a hunting-horn into the bargain." This pedestal form itself was particularly popular between c. 1250 - c.1400.