Intaglio seal6/21/2023 ![]() Early-medieval seal matricesĮarly-medieval seal matrices exist, but are exceptionally rare. The closest candidate has raised letters, so is a patrix rather than a matrix it has therefore been recorded as a DIE STAMP ( SUR-8620F1). There are a few examples of Roman lead seals which were stamped with rectangular dies ( examples here), but we have not yet recorded any matrices. Normally the bezel would have held a separate carved gem or intaglio, and these are recorded as FINGER RING. Sealings in the Roman world were normally made using signet rings, which are finger-rings with engraved bezels. From left original photograph, flipped horizontally, and ‘inverted’ (put into negative). One seal matrix ( KENT-A874A2), manipulated to help read the inscription. The altered images should be added to the record as separate images, keeping the unaltered record images together. To do this in Photoshop, choose the Filter tab, then Adjustments, then Invert. Sometimes a very unclear inscription will be easier to read when the flipped image is additionally put into negative. In this way the inscription will appear clockwise, the right way round. In Photoshop, choose the Image tab, then Rotate and Flip Horizontal. These days, manipulating images is so easy that a matrix can be reversed to read the central motif and inscription the right way round. The materials used could be Fimo (which needs to be baked to set permanently hard) or in Dass (an air-drying clay, but which is vulnerable to damp). The PAS used to recommend that an impression was made for every seal matrix, and photographed alongside the matrix. This can be done in Photoshop, or by taking a impression (also called a ‘cast’). To read and interpret a seal matrix it is therefore helpful to get an image of the engraving the right way round. How to read an inscriptionīecause the seal matrix was used to make an impression, the engraving of the inscription was almost always done in mirror-image. As most are made individually, the standard method of manufacture is engraving if the design and/or inscription appear to have been cast or stamped instead of engraved, please note this in the Description field. All seal matrices, therefore, must have the design and inscription recessed into the surface. The term ‘matrix’ (from the Latin ‘mater’ meaning mother, plural ‘matrices’) implies that the design is cut into the surface the equivalent in relief is called a ‘patrix’. This may be called the inscription or the legend we prefer the former, as the latter has more than one meaning.Ī seal impression is sometimes called a cast. We discourage the use of ‘device’ as it is a word with several meanings.Īround the central design there is usually lettering. The central image can be called the design, although you will also see the words ‘motif’ and ‘device’ used. If it uses an engraved gem, this is called an intaglio. The engraved face is normally called the die. ![]() Occasionally a matrix will be double-sided, with one name on each face, and this is flagged up with ‘double sided’ in the sub-classification field.
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