File:14th century pedestal seal matrix (FindID 861970).jpg

English: A complete Medieval cast copper-alloy pedestal type seal matrix with a circular face and unusually well carved detail.

Description: The matrix is conical in shape with a collared pointed handle rising from a hexagonal die, at the apex of the handle is a flat pointed oval suspension loop. Four indented dots are arranged in a lozenge on the handle, adjacent to the lower edge creating an 'orientation mark'. They are aligned corresponding to roughly 12 o'clock on the matrix design, to allow the seal to be orientated correctly when stamping creating a seal.

The ovoid die face has a central design of a 'spray of flowers between lovers' heads', a well attested device. The heads, in this case are busts with clearly defined and finely engraved features, hair and necks. The man is on the right of the impression. He has outward-curling jaw-length hair typical of the hair employed on Edwardian style pennies, He wears a top with a low collar and ruffled shoulders. The woman is wearing a similar top with a v-shaped neck line and long straight hair which flicks outwards below the shoulders.The spray/bunch of flowers between the two consists of a tall and thin stem running nearly top to bottom and spreading a bunch of pointed flowers in a semi-circl above the couple.

The design is within a pellet line border. Around this is the legend, starting at 12 o'clock with a star initial mark and reading '+DE LI PENSEZ: PAR KY MAVEZ'. The legend is itself surrounded by a pellet border.

Measurements:The seal matrix is 19.46mm in height, the die face is19.51mm long, 16.04mm wide and 7.43g in weight.

Discussion: The legend, as translated by Dr.Malcom Jones from medieval French, 'de li pensez par ky mavez' translates in modern English as 'think of him from whom you have me' (pers. comms.). This, as Dr. John Cherry (pers. comms.) points out makes it likely 'this matrix was to be used by a lover on a love letter to his lady'.

A number of similar inscriptions are known from seals and even some rare brooches dating between the last decade of the 13th century and the the first quarter of the 14th. See similar inscription Ellis (1978, 920 and 1627 No.140) dating to 1316 and 1319 respectively, also Birch (1887, 501-502, no. 7417) on a document dating 1297 and DL25/158 P20 held by the national archives at Kew dating to 1319. This date range fits with the general fashion for pedestal seal matrices with small dies and impersonal, often romantic legends (termed love and loyalty seals), at the end of the 13th century remaining popular well into the mid 14th century if not later (Harvey and McGuiness 1996, 88-90,). A date of c.1290-1350 for this example is therefore suggested.

Although not highly common similar matrices with supposed portraits of couples have been reported to the PAS see:<a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/714827" title="View details for SOM-4028B4">SOM-4028B4</a>, <a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/212999" title="View details for ESS-E89EA4">ESS-E89EA4</a> and <a href="https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/562951" title="View details for WMID-C93B48">WMID-C93B48</a>