SEAL MATRIX 813613

Description: A complete medieval copper-alloy circular seal matrix, dating to the period 1200-1400. It depicts the head of a stag facing forward within a circular punched border, with the face and antlers stretching the length of the space. There is no further decoration between the antlers, nor in the spaces between the stag's face and the circular punched border. In a ring around this border is the legend, which reads (cross)ROBERTVS SALVAGIVS. A further punched border beyond this flanks the outside edge of the matrix. On the reverse is a small loop, measuring 5.56mm at its widest point, tapering down until the loop blends almost completely into the reverse of the seal matrix. There are three transverse notches on this loop before it blends into the reverse of the seal matrix. The diameter of the pierced hole in this loop is 2.74mm. The overall patina of this seal matrix is dark green. In total, the seal matrix weighs 6.44g, measures 22.01mm in diameter and 8.26 at its thickest. Laura Burnett writes: [SALVAGIVS is] related to the root word salvage, ie savage a. 1 wild 2 outcast 3 harsh 4 rash 5 aloof, unapproachable 6 untutored, uncouth 7 uncivilized 8 (of skin, hide) raw, undressed; or it can also apparently be used as a varient of sylvagius, ie of the wood which seems the most likely interpretation in this case (pers. comm. November 2016).

Date: 1200 - 1400

Object type: SEAL MATRIX

Last import: August 15, 2017