Rights Holder: Suffolk County Council
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: SF-C42B1B
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete but heavily corroded cast lead-alloy personal seal matrix dating to the Medieval period, c. 1200-1300. It is vesica (pointed oval) shaped and flat, with an opened up suspension loop and coincident midrib on its upper face. The underside of the matrix demonstrates the central design of a fleur de lis, around which is an inscription. However, due to later damage and corrosion this is now totally illegible. Preserved in rather poor condition with corroded and cracked surfaces, it measures 34.67mm in length, 21.98mm wide at its midpoint, and 6.56mm thick where the suspension loop projects. It weighs 11.02g.
Personal seal matrices were mainly utilised during the 13th century, being superceded in the early decades of the 14th century by 'pedestal' type matrices with impersonal secular and religious legends/designs.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 34.67 mm
Width: 21.98 mm
Thickness: 6.56 mm
Weight: 11.02 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 3rd August 2018
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Suffolk (County)
District: Mid Suffolk (District)
To be known as: Hemingstone
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: SF-935732
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete but somewhat corroded copper-alloy seal matrix dating to the Medieval period, c. 1200-1300. It is vessica shaped in plan, with a h…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SF-49065B
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete cast lead-alloy personal seal matrix dating to the Medieval period, c. 1200-1300. It is circular in plan, with a squashed circular…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SF-EFDF78
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A complete cast lead-alloy personal seal matrix dating to the Medieval period, c. 1200-1300. It is circular in plan, with an un-drilled lug p…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
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