SEAL MATRIX

A circular lead seal matrix of Medieval date. The matrix has a diameter of 36.3mm with a chamfered edge that gives the reverse surface of the matrix a slightly smaller diameter of 33.7mm. This flat disc has a thickness of 3.5mm, increasing to 11.8mm over the attachment lug (front of matrix to top of lug). The lug is positioned next to the reverse surface chamfered edge, it has a length of 13.1mm and width of 2.3mm widening to 6.1mm at the base where it joins the back plate of the matrix.

The upper edge of the lug is curved to form a semicircular top to what would otherwise be a rectangular projection. The lug has a triangular cross-section. 4.2mm from the upper edge of the lug is a circular perforation of 2.0mm diameter. At one end the extreme tip of the lug is slightly bent over to one side but this is likely to be the result of slight damage during use or after loss rather than being part of the original design of the object.

On the front of the matrix the central field is decorated with a dot at the very centre (1.1mm diameter), a crescent is below the dot and a star is positioned above. Around the central field the legend is set between a border of concentric circles, one below and one above the legend. The characters of the legend have a height of 4.9mm. The initial mark is a cross. The legend reads + S' IOhANNIS: PRAT (Seal of John Prat) . The S' is positioned very close to the initial mark but the last character of the legend ends 4.0mm from the other edge of the initial mark. This shows that the letters of the legend have not been spaced equally and might suggest that the manufacturer of this item was concerned about running out of space and being unable to fit all of the legend onto the matrix. Serifs are present on many if not all of the letters in the legend. All of the elements on this suface of the matrix are engraved in the negative.

The surname Pratt is derived by Reaney and Wilson from an Old English adjective praett, meaning cunning or astute.