Rights Holder: Winchester Museums Service
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: HAMP-66138E
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A cast lead seal matrix of Medieval date (13th - 14th Century AD). The object is flat and a pointed-oval shape. In the centre is an eight-pointed star of leaves or wheat ears within a grooved pointed-oval border. Around this, and within an outer border, is a legend starting with an initial star and reading * S' AVES: BERMAN (Seal of Avise Berman). According to Reaney and Wilson (under Barman) the surname Berman may derive from a personal name, or may be from an occupation - a bearer or porter.
Towards the top of the reverse is the lug, consisting of a rectangular stub (7.4mmx4.2mm). The edges of the matrix are worn and corroded.
The seal matrix is 29.9mm long, 21.2mm wide, 8.1mm thick (or 4.9mm without the projection) and weighs 15.93g. The pointed-oval shape is often associated with women's seals.
Class:
personal
Sub class: woman
Inscription:
* S' AVES: BERMAN
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by a museum - not a Treasure case
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 29.9 mm
Width: 21.2 mm
Thickness: 8.1 mm
Weight: 15.93 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st January 1970 - Friday 31st December 1999
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: Winchester Collections AY 568
Museum accession number: WINCM: AY 568.104
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
Parish or ward: Cheriton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU5828
Four figure Latitude: 51.04842944
Four figure longitude: -1.17396369
1:25K map: SU5828
1:10K map: SU52NE
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: HAMP-193FC4
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A slightly corroded cast lead seal matrix of medieval date (13th-14th century). The matrix is of pointed-oval shape, with a central oval ridg…
Workflow: Published
Find number: SUR-001FF6
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A medieval lead oval seal matrix, flat and pointed-oval in shape, now bent across the middle. In the centre is a lis with the central stem re…
Workflow: Published
Find number: ESS-309C65
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
Medieval personal seal matrix. Cast in lead, the matrix is pointed-oval in plan and is flat. The central field depicts an ear of wheat with a…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618