Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WMID-B0B176
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix, of medieval dating (AD 1200 to AD 1400).
The body of the matrix consists of a pedestal, created from a six sided tapering column. These terminate in an incomplete trefoil knop, with a circular suspension hole in the middle. The suspension loop is complete, and has an internal diameter of 2.2 mm. Two horizontal collars separate the suspension loop from the rest of the handle. The handle is flat and is orientated horizontally. The die or seal face is sub circular, with a diameter of 21.5 mm.
The die / seal face is incomplete. The die is crudely cut. The design is unclear but probably depicts the Virgin Mary, with the baby Jesus on her knees, surrounded by several palm leaves. The circumferential legend is incomplete but it is possible to read: S AVE[ ]CE. It is possible that the legend is an abbreviation of AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINVS TECUM [Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you].
The seal matrix is 30.1 mm tall, with a base diameter of 21.5 mm. The handle is 9.6 mm wide and 7.2 mm thick. It weighs 13.9 g.
The seal matrix is dark green colour, with an even surface patina.
A similar seal matrix has been recorded as LANCUM-51B356 and is considered to be of medieval dating (AD 1200 to AD 1400).
Class:
anonymous
Inscription:
S AVE[ ]CE
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Quantity: 1
Length: 30.1 mm
Width: 9.6 mm
Thickness: 7.2 mm
Diameter: 21.5 mm
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4 Figure: SK0625
Four figure Latitude: 52.82250049
Four figure longitude: -1.91240429
1:25K map: SK0625
1:10K map: SK02NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.