SEAL MATRIX

Medieval cast copper alloy pedestal type seal matrix with a circular face. The matrix has a very small central design of a facing head with the eyes, nose, mouth, hair and neck detailed. The head is within a broad raised circle (recessed on the impression) and incised with three trapezoid rays of a cross or halo radiating from the head with no ray at the neck. This is the vernicle head of christ (head with cruciform nimbus). Around this central part of the design most of the die is taken up by interlacing patterned of lines including a quatrelobe biscecting a lozenge and other smaller lozenge and qutrefoil patterns that overlap and are hard to trace. There are marks which could be interpretted as lettering around the outer edge, between the points of the incised designs, but the lettering appears repetative and may be part of the pattern rather than an inscription. The design is within an out plain line border.

The central pedestal type handle rises from the face in six facets, narrowing as it rises to a waist from which it expands out slightly to a collar. The collar starts with a narrow, slight raised ring, then a more pronounced, broader ring then another slighter ring. Above the collar the handle ends in a flat loop shaped into a quatrefoil with a circular hole through it. Most of the loop is missing to an old break with just the start of each side remaining. There os no clear mark to allow the seal to be orientated correctly, there is some damage to one edge and a lump of copper corrosion by the damage.

The seal matrix is 20.9mm in diameter at the face by 24.8mm tall; it weighs 8.70 grams.

Pedestal seal matrices with small dies and impersonal legends became increasingly popular at the end of the 13th century (Harvey and Macguiness ibid:88-90,). Examples lacking any inscription are also known, although rare and maybe later 14th to early 15th century in date. See SOM-A752BC and IOW-A9C914 for designs with simpler interlace around an animal.

The seal was kindle examined by Dr Elizabeth New who confirmed there appears to be no legend and identified the head as that of Jesus Christ (17/7/2015).