MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1150

An incomplete cast lead seal matrix of Medieval date. It is missing its suspension loop/lug but is otherwise complete. The seal is flat, circular in form and with chip carved matrix on the front face. This comprises a central fleur-de-lis motif, of classic shape and neatly carved, within an inner grooved circle. Surrounding the inner circle is a legend reading +S' IOh' IS VEW Y NERE, so it must be a personal seal for an individual named John. The surname is less easy to read.The engraving of the first part of the inscription, S' IOh'IS VEW..., is in bold, well-sized and well-spaced capitals and very clear, but the rest (and the cross initial mark) are far less easy to read and the rest of the letters appear to be in a different hand. The Y is uncertain, made from two strokes widely separated from the other letters, which are small. The N is reverse-barred, and the R difficult to read; it may alternatively be a P. There is only one surname in Reaney and Wilson which starts Vew.., and this is Vewtry (recorded as Veuuter in the 15th century).It measures 34.64mm in diameter, 2.86mm in thickness, and weighs 20.72g.Harvey and McGuinness (1996: pp. 79) note that simple, large circular seals such as this were in use towards the end of the 12th century, the addition of the inner line separating the legend from the central motif slightly later than those without the line. This suggests a date in the late 12th to early 13th century AD for this example.