Post-Medieval Silver Matrix Seal Ring
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Intaglio Rings and Jewellery: A Collector's Guide
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A superb antique silver intaglio signet ring, the face is set with an English or Scottish oval seal matrix dating from the 16th to 17th century. The engraving depicts a common heraldic motif, the rampant lion, and would have been used as a coat of arms or in a family crest.
The post-medieval disk seal matrix has been mounted in a silver signet ring at a later date (probably the late 19th century), however the design of the signet is a faithful copy of English medieval signet ring mounts of the 15th and 16th centuries with its channelled shoulders and twisted exterior (see final slide for similar examples in the British Museum and V&A Museum).
The rampant lion is placed within an incised border decorated with V shaped hachure - which would produce a rope like pattern in the impression. The seal is carved in negative and the rampant lion faces right with a tail curled behind the back. The engraved design is very fine with the details of the face, mane, claws and fur very well realised.
UK ring size V, US size 10.5
The ring weighs an impressive 26.18g silver, The face measures 17mm x 16mm and the shank has a width of 7mm.
Very similar examples of silver matrices found by metal detectorists across the UK have been published by PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme). These finds have been analysed by the British Museum and subsequently recorded as ‘treasure’. PAS reference numbers of similar silver rampant lion seal matrices are: PAS-8E5DD7, NARC-7B0BEE, HESH-E9EA12, LEIC-39ECA6, LEIC-329FD3, YORYM-0019A4, WILT-0228F1, DENO-8AC54C, WMID-2C9507, LEIC-329FD3, NLM-0D2C6D (see final photo for images of these). Seal matrix declared as treasure in BBC news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60265997.
A seal matrix or signet ring was used to apply the wearer's personal mark to the sealing wax on a document. The seal then demonstrated the legality of the document and the identification of the issuing authority or individual. Signet rings or desk seal matrixes could be engraved with a coat of arms or crest, an initial, a merchant's mark (a geometric symbol used to mark goods or personal belongings), or a personal symbol. Sixteenth and seventeenth century portraits show signet rings worn on the forefinger or thumb, presumably to make it easy to apply the ring to the wax by turning the hand. They were items of jewellery with a practical function but the use of precious metals and engraved hardstones indicates that they were also signs of status.
A superb antique silver intaglio signet ring, the face is set with an English or Scottish oval seal matrix dating from the 16th to 17th century. The engraving depicts a common heraldic motif, the rampant lion, and would have been used as a coat of arms or in a family crest.
The post-medieval disk seal matrix has been mounted in a silver signet ring at a later date (probably the late 19th century), however the design of the signet is a faithful copy of English medieval signet ring mounts of the 15th and 16th centuries with its channelled shoulders and twisted exterior (see final slide for similar examples in the British Museum and V&A Museum).
The rampant lion is placed within an incised border decorated with V shaped hachure - which would produce a rope like pattern in the impression. The seal is carved in negative and the rampant lion faces right with a tail curled behind the back. The engraved design is very fine with the details of the face, mane, claws and fur very well realised.
UK ring size V, US size 10.5
The ring weighs an impressive 26.18g silver, The face measures 17mm x 16mm and the shank has a width of 7mm.
Very similar examples of silver matrices found by metal detectorists across the UK have been published by PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme). These finds have been analysed by the British Museum and subsequently recorded as ‘treasure’. PAS reference numbers of similar silver rampant lion seal matrices are: PAS-8E5DD7, NARC-7B0BEE, HESH-E9EA12, LEIC-39ECA6, LEIC-329FD3, YORYM-0019A4, WILT-0228F1, DENO-8AC54C, WMID-2C9507, LEIC-329FD3, NLM-0D2C6D (see final photo for images of these). Seal matrix declared as treasure in BBC news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60265997.
A seal matrix or signet ring was used to apply the wearer's personal mark to the sealing wax on a document. The seal then demonstrated the legality of the document and the identification of the issuing authority or individual. Signet rings or desk seal matrixes could be engraved with a coat of arms or crest, an initial, a merchant's mark (a geometric symbol used to mark goods or personal belongings), or a personal symbol. Sixteenth and seventeenth century portraits show signet rings worn on the forefinger or thumb, presumably to make it easy to apply the ring to the wax by turning the hand. They were items of jewellery with a practical function but the use of precious metals and engraved hardstones indicates that they were also signs of status.
The post-medieval disk seal matrix has been mounted in a silver signet ring at a later date (probably the late 19th century), however the design of the signet is a faithful copy of English medieval signet ring mounts of the 15th and 16th centuries with its channelled shoulders and twisted exterior (see final slide for similar examples in the British Museum and V&A Museum).
The rampant lion is placed within an incised border decorated with V shaped hachure - which would produce a rope like pattern in the impression. The seal is carved in negative and the rampant lion faces right with a tail curled behind the back. The engraved design is very fine with the details of the face, mane, claws and fur very well realised.
UK ring size V, US size 10.5
The ring weighs an impressive 26.18g silver, The face measures 17mm x 16mm and the shank has a width of 7mm.
Very similar examples of silver matrices found by metal detectorists across the UK have been published by PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme). These finds have been analysed by the British Museum and subsequently recorded as ‘treasure’. PAS reference numbers of similar silver rampant lion seal matrices are: PAS-8E5DD7, NARC-7B0BEE, HESH-E9EA12, LEIC-39ECA6, LEIC-329FD3, YORYM-0019A4, WILT-0228F1, DENO-8AC54C, WMID-2C9507, LEIC-329FD3, NLM-0D2C6D (see final photo for images of these). Seal matrix declared as treasure in BBC news: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60265997.
A seal matrix or signet ring was used to apply the wearer's personal mark to the sealing wax on a document. The seal then demonstrated the legality of the document and the identification of the issuing authority or individual. Signet rings or desk seal matrixes could be engraved with a coat of arms or crest, an initial, a merchant's mark (a geometric symbol used to mark goods or personal belongings), or a personal symbol. Sixteenth and seventeenth century portraits show signet rings worn on the forefinger or thumb, presumably to make it easy to apply the ring to the wax by turning the hand. They were items of jewellery with a practical function but the use of precious metals and engraved hardstones indicates that they were also signs of status.
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