MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

Unknown artist

A medieval seal matrix, oval in shape, set with a Classical gem. The legend surrounding the gem reads+SIGILL: ALANI: DE: DVNTVNEOn the reverse is a raised ridge that would originally have terminated in a loop, now missing.The seal matrix is silver and dates from the fourteenth century.The intaglio (probably a cornelian) is orange with a cream inclusion which covers the engraving. The design shows a horseman and two harnessed horses trotting to the left (right when impressed). The horseman is draped and two protrusions extending from his back may represent a cloak or the reins tied around his chest.Martin Henig has suggested an Augustan date for the gem based on comparison with a similar intaglio from Promina (Middleton 1991, 100-101, no. 170).Dimensions: length 25 mm, width 21 mmConsequently, in terms of age and as the object contains a minimum of 10% precious metal it qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.J P RobinsonCurator of Medieval Collections9th August 2012B. CrerarCurator, Romano-British Collections9th October 2012Middleton, S.H. 1991 Engraved Gems from Dalmatia from the collections of Sir John Gardner Wilkinson and Sir Arthur Evans in Harrow School, at Oxford and elsewhere Oxford University Committee for Archaeology Monograph no.31, Oxford