MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1400

Incomplete copper-alloy seal matrix of later medieval date. The die was originally circular, but is now cut or broken across one edge (old break). The hexagonally faceted conical handle terminates in a double moulded collar below a trefoil loop with three circular perforations. On one of the arrises of the handle, close to the lower edge of the matrix, is an incised star formed by three lines of similar length crossing at the centre. This star coincides with the upper edge of the die and would have been used to align the seal during use. A second incised diagonal mark is present on the next arris over, but it seems likely that this mark represents damage during use rather than a functional purpose. The seal matrix is 36.6mm tall, was originally 28.5mm in diameter, and weighs 35.85g.The die has been extremely well cut and the motifs are crisp and well proportioned. The central design is that of three feathers, these are arranged vertically with the central feather being set lower than the two flanking ones. Each feather is formed with the tip bending slightly to the left hand side and the central shaft (quill) extends into the outer circle of the design. Across the base of each feather between the quill and barbs (feathery part) are small horizontal bars. The feathers themselves are very detailed with individual barbs being shown. This motif is sometimes known as 'plume and scroll', and occurs on the arms of the Black Prince, eventually becoming the standard badge of the Princes of Wales.Above the central feather, and between the flanking examples, is a well cut fleur-de-lis. Between these central elements are a number of smaller lightly cut lines which probably represent leaves or branches. The central design is enclosed within a deeply grooved circular border embellished with dots, creating faint beading in the impression.Around the edge of the die, outside the beaded border, is a lower-case black-letter inscription in Latin, reading sigillu subsidii ul [...] e. The words are separated by arrow- or branch-like motifs similar to those within the central field, and the u of sigillu has a line across the top showing that the word has been abbreviated. The g of sigillu extends into the inner border, and there is a similar outer border around the edge of the die.The seal matrix is of a dark mid-green colour with an even well formed patina which extends over the break. This has been slightly abraded around the outer edge of the die, and some very small spots of light green corrosion are present, but overall the seal is in exceptional condition and the standard of workmanship is high.The inscription means 'seal of the subsidy of' with the last word a fragment of either alnage, or alnager. The subsidy was a tax on cloth and the alnager was the official responsible for inspecting the alnage, or quality and size, of the cloth. Subsidy and alnage were administered by individual county alnagers, and it is tantalising that the name of the county on this seal is missing.Two matrices from the BM's collection provide good parallels, one to the inscription and the other, with two feathers flanking a crowned bust, to the central motif (Egan 1995, no. 45 and 44 respectively). The deep engraving of all of these examples makes it likely that they were used by the alnager to seal documents with wax in the conventional manner, rather than having been used on lead cloth seals. The use of black-letter dates this example broadly to the 15th century.Seal matrices of pedestal type are very robust and it seems likely that, as an official seal, this example was cut to officially cancel it at the end of its life.