Silver seal matrix, 17th century AD, found by metal detector at Denmead, Hampshire. Oval face, the back faceted and banded around the handle, terminating in a large pierced knop with an S-shaped element threaded through for suspension. The face with coat of arms with three raised lateral bands, the uppermost with three striding birds, appear to be cockerels, the middle band with one pentagonal element. Heraldic description as barry on a chief three cocks. Owner's initials EBH engraved on fluted area.
Silver seal matrix
Stuart, 17th century AD
Found by a metal detectorist at Denmead, Hampshire in 2006
A personal or fob seal, which would have been suspended from a short chain, or ribbon, and kept in a small pocket in the front waistline of a man's trousers. The face of the seal would have been pressed into wax to seal documents. The face of this seal bears a coat of arms of horizontal bands, the uppermost with three striding cockerels. The middle band has a small pentagon at the centre. The owners initials EBH can be seen engraved on the fluted area, but so far the name of the 17th century owner of this seal has not been identified.
Portable Antiquities Scheme reference SUSS-DA46C1.
