SEAL BOX

An elaborate copper-alloy seal box lid with enamelling dating to the second or third century AD. The seal box is of Andrews Type P2D15, being lamp-shaped with a cental phallus motif. It possesses a central circular cell which is surrounded by circumferential ring-shaped cell. Inside the circular cell is an applied copper-alloy motif, possibly depicting a stylised phallus. The motif has an 'eye' comprising a circular cell filled with white enamel. This applied motif is secured by a rivet which is visible on the underside of the lid. The circumferential cell appears to have been filled with alternating squares of different coloured enamel, although the enamel is very degraded. In one area, three adjacent squares of enamel are visible. These cells have clearly been sub-divided into small squares of white, blue or black enamel creating a chequerboard motif. Towards the terminal there is a recessed V-shaped cell with degraded, possibly red enamel. The triangular raised surface defined by the 'V' is decorated with three small, stamped circles. The rounded terminal is flanked by two lugs possesses 3 ring-shaped cells created by a series of concentric circles of metal. On the underside of the terminal is a pronounced locating pin. The hinge is damaged. The lid is 38mm long, 21mm wide and 2mm thick. 

An identical example can be found in the collections of Colchester Museum (COLEM: 2010. T61).