MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1200

About half of a lead seal matrix. Originally pointed oval in shape, it is now 23 mm wide and 20 mm long; it would originally have been about twice as long. It is made of relatively thin sheet, with a squashed pierced lug on the reverse. It is not particularly well shaped, but the engraving of the inscription is extremely good. The central motif is chip-carved, and hard to decipher; a vertical line runs from a serif at the top and then forks lower down. The inscription is eminently clear. It reads + S' BEA - - - - - D: and the rest of the space is filled by a saltire with a chip-carved dot in each angle. The inscription means 'Seal of Bea. . . '; probably a personal name, perhaps Beatrice.