https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/templates/general_wide/img/logo.png https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices.html https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/fob-seal-58872.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:58:50 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		An unusual pendant-like copper-alloy object, most likely an ornate fob seal from a watch chain. The object is of truncated conical shape in profile, and of regular octofoil shape in cross-section. There is a suspension loop at the top of the cone, with three chain-links attached, and an incuse geometrical design on the base. The conical  body is of composite construction, apparently consisting of an octofoil base screwed to a central stem descending from the suspension loop. Fitted onto the stem are multiple octofoil discs of three different materials and progressively larger size as they approach the base. The three materials are: (1) metal, (2) leather, and (3) pale green glass. From the base upwards the order of disc materials is 1,2,1,3,1,2,1,3,1,2,1,3,1,2,1, i.e. fifteen tiers plus the suspension loop with stem. It seems most likely that the purpose of the leather was to prevent loosening and rattling of the other component parts. The incuse geometric design on the base consists of an eight-armed cross within a square frame. A shallower offset circle within the design is possibly a later addition. No close parallel has been traced, but PAS: LVPL810 would appear to be a similar class of object. The fact that the base of the PAS object has the waffle-pattern design that is associated with many fob seal intaglios of the 18th and 19th centuries would suggest that its tentative identification as such is correct. By extension, it seems likely that the present artefact is also a fob seal.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/desk-seal-5996.html Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		An official seal matrix of the office of Town Clerk for Newark on Trent. The seal bears the arms of the town and the inscription, TOWN CLERK BOROUGH of NEWARK. The handle is missing.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/desk-seal-19347.html Sun, 24 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		The matrix end of a desk seal of the 18th to early 19th century. It is eggcup shaped, with the intaglio device - a lion rampant - cut in the 'base', and the 'cup' internally threaded to attach a (probably wooden) handle.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/desk-seal-58656.html Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:28:38 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A cast copper-alloy desk seal. The seal has a cheese-shaped base bearing the intaglio design, and a slightly tapered circular-section handle or shank. The intaglio design depicts a castle gate with portcullis flanked by towers and surmounted by an uncertain bird. The surrounding inscription reads H & CO (above) and SUPERIOR (below). It is possible that the seal was originally fitted with a separate wooden handle. The company, H & CO, has not been traced, but the symbolism of the castle gate suggests a possible connection with security equipment.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/seal-matrix-58615.html Sun, 04 May 2025 11:04:49 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A complete oval 'chessman style' seal matrix of post-medieval date. The intaglio design is a shield of arms bearing three fleurs-de-lis with a five-pointed star (mullet) above, all within a beaded border. The handle consists of a tapered hexagonal-section stem surmounted by a triple-collared suspension loop moulded in the form of a pierced fleur-de-lis. The arms have not been traced and are probably fictitious. See also PAS: LANCUM-C55606, which is of closely similar form and dated 17th century.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/fob-seal-intaglio-58506.html Sun, 16 Mar 2025 18:11:03 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A sub-rectangular intaglio from a Georgian fob seal. The intaglio, probably moulded glass, is set in a copper-alloy bezel and depicts what is most likely intended to be the heraldic device, a 'horse's head erased'. The depiction of the animal and the nature of the truncation, however, are somewhat crude or atypical, possibly due to limitations of the moulding process.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/seal-matrix-58415.html Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:00:50 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A circular copper-alloy seal matrix with an openwork trefoil handle. The intaglio seal-face design consists of Roman style initials, WC, with decorative (floral?) motifs in the field above and below.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/fob-seal-58375.html Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:49:03 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A rectangular copper-alloy fob seal with a worn inscription, 'SUCCESS TO AGRICULTURE' as the device. See also; UKDFD 10508 & NLM-C980EA
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/seal-matrix-57708.html Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:18:52 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A small oval silver seal matrix depicting a bust of Queen Anne (reigned 1702-1714). The handle of the seal is of openwork design, the major part of which resembles a Lombardic letter 'E' on a pedestal, surmounted by a suspension loop formed by two addorsed dolphins. The symbolism of the letter is uncertain, but one possibility is that the seal is a bespoke item with the 'E' being the initial letter of the owner's name.  No maker's mark or hallmarks are apparent. See also UKDFD 8152.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]> https://www.ukdfd.co.uk/artefact/post-medieval-to-modern/seal-matrices/fob-seal-57488.html Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:05:30 GMT Seal matrices  

Description:		A copper-alloy fob seal with high-relief moulded decoration. Comprising a hollow, loosely cone-shaped bezel decorated with inverted trefoils that have pellets in between, a lozenge-shaped handle with linear decoration, and an integral suspension loop. The intaglio which may have been colourerd glass is missing.
Category:		Post-Medieval to Modern, Seal matrices
Category:		Seal matrices

]]>