Rights Holder: Winchester Museums Service
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Unique ID: HAMP-63D927
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
An incomplete Medieval (1250-1300) copper alloy pointed-oval seal matrix with a pierced lug to the reverse. It measures 29.47mm in length, 18.17mm in max.width, 10.04mm in max.depth and weighs 8.37g.
The matrix depicts a four-legged animal, probably a dog, running left (right in the impression) and arranged on the vertical axis of the matrix. The animal has open jaws, one pointed ear and a bulbous eye. Around, and within two beaded lines, is the inscription *S'RICARDI DE WYWELEShENEC[.]
David Williams, Surrey & East BerkshireFLO, comments "The last letter is sloping and could be an N or a W. The C may be a G. The h is perhaps more probably a badly formed D. So WYWELESDENE is possible if you ignore the last two letters. Wivelsdene perhaps?" (pers.comm. January 2014).
To the reverse the D-shaped loop has a 1.83mm diameter perforation and is 3.08mm thick. Below is a moulded horizontal 'step' to flat raised rib that runs longitudinally along the centre of the reverse to the opposite end. The matrix is max.3.84mm thick without the loop.
Notes:
The majority of pointed-oval personal seal matrices date from the mid to late 13th century, and are more popular among women than men (see Harvey and McGuinness 1996: 79-88).
A Wivelsden Farm is located close to the village of Wivelsfield near Haywards Heath in East Sussex.
Inscription:
*S'RICARDI DE WYWELEShENEC[.]
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Quantity: 1
Length: 29.47 mm
Width: 18.17 mm
Thickness: 10.04 mm
Weight: 8.37 g
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Other reference: Winchester Museums Entry Form 3827
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harvey, P.D.A. and McGuinness, A. | 1996 | A Guide to British Medieval Seals | London | British Library and Public Record Office | 79-88 |