POST MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1700

A silver seal matrix, dating to the 17th-18th Century. The handle is hexagonally-facetted, with two collars at the top. The handle is broken, but would have been formed from four loops, of which only one full one survives. The handle is flat, and there is a small extension off the remaining loop. The remains of the handle suggest that it is a characteristic foliate type of circa 1700. The face is engraved with an image of the Lamb of God. The lamb has a flag over its shoulder. The detail of the lambs fleece has been picked out in the engraving. There is an engraved border around the face, with incised radiating lines. The face measures 14.7mm x 13.9mm, but part of the face is missing, due to a break. The reverse initial mark takes the form of the makers mark on one of the facets on the handle, at the 3 o’ clock position. It is an engraved letter H. Another matrix was reported as possible Treasure in 2005, Treasure Case 2005 T159 (Hamstead Marshall, Berkshire) PAS Database No: PAS-E19B01. At the time, Judy Rudoe from the British Museum stated that “there is not enough evidence to date this seal-die pre-1705 as such it falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996”. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to date this Yorkshire seal-die to pre-1709 so as such it too falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996 and has not be reported.