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SEAL MATRIX

Unique ID: YORYM-0B730F

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A complete copper alloy seal matrix of medieval date. The die of the matrix is circular with a tapering hexagonally faceted handle extending from the reverse. The handle terminates in a circular terminal with central perforation which would have served as a suspension loop. The die itself carries a central motif depicting a squirrel facing left within an inner ropework border. The central motif is surrounded by a legend which appears to read "PIVESV" which is possibly a misspelling of the popular legend "Prive Su", meaning 'I am private'.

'Prive su' is a common inscription on small, impersonal seal matrices of the 14th century (see Harvey and McGuinness 1996: 88) and refers to the role of the seal in closing a private letter.

The metal has a dark green patina and is worn. The seal matrix is 16.1mm tall, the handle is 5.9mm x 2.5mm, the die is 16.4mm in diameter and it weighs 5.5g.

Class: anonymous
Inscription: PIVESV

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 16.1 mm
Width: 5.9 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 5.5 g
Diameter: 16.4 mm

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: North Yorkshire (County)
District: Selby (District)
Parish or ward: Stutton with Hazlewood (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: SE4539
Four figure Latitude: 53.84530017
Four figure longitude: -1.31752832
1:25K map: SE4539
1:10K map: SE43NE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 0.1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: YORYM
Created: 8 years ago
Updated: 3 years ago

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