MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1200

A medieval, pointed oval, lead-alloy seal matrix. The seal carries the inscription *S'WALTER:SONDhE surrounding a central motif that appears to be a stylised fleur-de-lis. At some later date, a circular hole has been drilled in the face of the seal, through the central motif, The reverse of the seal is flat and carries a rectangular suspension loop, crudely drilled with a circular hole. It is 33mm long, 19.9wide, and 9.9mm thick. It weighs 12.17gm. Seal matrices of pointed oval shape, generally cast in lead, are typical of the 13th century AD. Indeed, Harvey and McGuinness note that this form was typical for seals owned by women and bearing their name (unlike this example), the fleur-de-lis being a particularly common motif (Harvey and McGuinness, 1996: pp. 79-80). A similar example is SF-0B6FB7.Although the engraving is clear, it is difficult to suggest a modern surname that fits. There is no entry for Sondhey or anything similar in Reaney and Wilson's Dictionary of English Surnames.