SEAL MATRIX

Description: An incomplete post-medieval silver seal matrix dating to 17th-18th century.

The seal matrix has an openwork handle and an oval die depicting a bird holding an olive branch in its beak. The handle is hexagonal and faceted with concave edges. The upper part of the handle has open work decoration but due to damage it is bent and the lower left foil has broken apart. It has a height of 14.3mm. The handle has a circular suspension loop at the top which has an internal diameter of 3mm. At the apex is a small oval knop. The suspension loop is attached to the openwork foils which comprise a sub-rectangular symmetrical foliate design of scrolled leaves turning inwards at the sides. This then expands outward to form an oval foliate design with scrolled leaves turning inwards at the sides. The handle terminates in a square-shaped, double-ridge moulding which then joins the lower hexagonal and faceted part of the handle.

The oval die is 15.1x13.9mm and is grey in colour. It depicts a bird with a long neck facing right holding a six-leaved olive branch in its beak. Both wings are raised upwards, one behind the other. The bird has an oval body which terminates with a long feathered pointed tail, its two talons, the left one slightly raised. There is a circular punch for the eye. The die is outlined with a border formed of very small circular punch marks.

Dimensions:

Height: 20.4mm

Length: 15.1mm

Width: 13.9mm

Weight: 3.74g.

Discussion: Even though an exact match has not been found seal matrices of this type have been previously reported under the Treasure Act and recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, including 2008 T667 (SF-64B1B6) and 2017 T471 (SF-B0199D), dated as 17th century. The depiction of the bird on the subject seal matrix is stylistically similar to that found on other matrices, such as 2012 T423 (WAW-3A8C15), and 2014 T486 (BH-7064C1), and 2018 T420 (HAMP-3C7AC4).

Conclusion: Due to the precious metal content of this object being over 10% silver, and it being over 300 years old, this object qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.