Medieval silver seal matrix inset with a Roman jasper intagl...

Hammer

£4,600

Medieval silver seal matrix inset with a Roman jasper intaglio featuring a lion with its front paw resting on a bulls head. The legend, engraved in Lombardic lettering, reads: + SIGILLV' : EADMVNDI DE WILT (The seal of Edmund of Wilt). Wilt in this case probably referring to the nearby town of Wilton, or Wiltshire.

 Reported as potential treasure and disclaimed by the crown. 

Recorded on the PAS database as WILT-92D3DD, an extract from which is reproduced below.

The lion was a powerful image of strength and virtue in the Middle Ages. It was a popular subject. Amongst similar examples from Britain are a cornelian excavated at Ludgershall Castle, Wiltshire, set in a silver seal inscribed +SECRETVM MICHAEL’ DRVIB’ (Cherry and Henig, 2000, 157-8).

Also, a Medieval silver seal matrix dating to c. AD 1200-1300 with a reused Roman intaglio (red jasper) depicting a lion with its paw on a bull’s head, dating to c. AD 100-200 from the British Museum collections, 1983, 1003.1 from Luddesdown, Kent. See seal | British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1983-1003-1

Similar examples of Medieval silver seal matrices with inset central intaglios are on recorded on the PAS database which have been through the Treasure process, include: 2015 T738 (SOM-63C16C) which also has a lion intaglio, from Colchester, Essex; 2005 T319 (SOMDOR-A23EB6) from Manston, North Dorset; 2012 T416 (SUSS-628524) from Lewes, East Sussex.

Conclusion: The seal matrix consists of over 10% precious metal and is over 300 years old at the time of finding and as such qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Thanks to Rev. Prof Martin Henig for his comments on this find.

Sophie Hawke

Finds Liaison Officer for Wiltshire

Portable Antiquities Scheme

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1073749

31mm x 21mm, 10.4g.