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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: LEIC-F38D79
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Medieval copper alloy seal matrix fragment, 1200-1400. Length: 25 mm, width: 26 mm, thickness: 9 mm, weight: 10.55 g.
The seal is incomplete and has a pointed oval form with a rectangular cross section. Its reverse has a rectangular cross sectioned bar running down its centre with a small semi-circular suspension loop at its upper edge. The seal has broken roughly around its centre and it is ecclesiastical in nature. It shows a nativity scene with Mary lying in a bed with the swaddled Jesus above her and Joseph at the foot of the bed. Above Jesus is a star to the left and 2 horned cattle? Above this is a tressured arch with a three gabled building sitting above in the apex. The partially present inscription in the border reads -
S'RICARD' VIREDOLED[...]
Dr Malcolm Jones notes that the apostrophe after D shows it is a Latin inscription, but the second part makes no sense, so could be made up of abbreviations.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Inscription:
S'RICARD' VIREDOLED[...]
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 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 25 mm
Width: 26 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight: 10.55 g
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Fragment
Spatial metadata
Region: East Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Leicestershire (County)
District: Melton (District)
Parish or ward: Bottesford (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SK8238
Four figure Latitude: 52.93314943
Four figure longitude: -0.78147304
1:25K map: SK8238
1:10K map: SK83NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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