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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: KENT-EE28D0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete and barely worn copper-alloy Medieval pedestal seal matrix dating to the 14th century.
Description: The matrix is conical in shape with a hexagonal die and short handle at the apex of which is a drilled ovoid suspension loop. The matrix' die is ovoid with a central design of a lion rampant right (designed to appear left when used). The surrounding legend reads retrograde as to appear the correct way round when used and is very crude and misspelled, roughly reading "+IEO SVY LIVN -", initial mark is standard and space filled at end by a pheon.. The inscription appears to be in poorly translated norman french translating as 'I am a lion'. The matrix is a dark grey-brown with slgith green patination aroudn the abraded circumference.
Measurements: Length 18.51mm, 14.8mm wide, Height 19.2mm, suspension loop is 7.22mm wide and it weighs 6.79g.
Discussion: The matrix is not a personal seal, but would have been purchased already inscribed (or 'off the shelf') and were originally used by people unable to commission their own personal seal. Anonymous non-heraldic seals bearing pious motifs and sayings become particularly more common and smaller after 1300 (Harvey & McGuiness 1996, 88). It is therefore probable that this example comes from the 14th century.
Inscription:
+IEO SVY LIVN (pheon)
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: 18.51 mm
Height: 19.2 mm
Width: 14.8 mm
Weight: 6.79 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Surface Treatment: Incised or engraved or chased
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Swale (District)
Parish or ward: Sheldwich (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: TR0055
Four figure Latitude: 51.25907021
Four figure longitude: 0.86501887
1:25K map: TR0055
1:10K map: TR05NW
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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