PAS Finds: week to 11 February 2022
PAS Finds: week to 11 February 2022
My selection of the finds recorded at the PAS for the week ending 11 February 2022.
Featured Find
Quadruple seal matrix
Photo: Birmingham Museums Trust CC By 2.0
Object type: Seal Matrix
Period: Post Medieval
Primary material: Copper alloy
Date found: 17/05/2020
Location: Stroud, Gloucestershire
A quadruple seal matrix dating with a suggested date is c1600 – 1700. The designs on the four faces are a bird, a stag, a flaming heart with crossed arrows behind and a turreted building. There are only four other quadruple seal matrices recorded at the PAS. Looking at these and other examples elsewhere, the individual designs are familiar motifs from individual seal matrices. However, none of ones that I have seen have the same set of four designs. They all are fairly crudely made.
Selection of other finds
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme CC By 2.0
Roman “bone disc” nail cleaner
Roman nail cleaners are fairly common detecting finds. This type with a disc shape terminal made of bone a more unusual. They are usually found in the area to the east of the Severn.
Photo: Bristol City Council CC BY SA2.0
Silver merchant ring
A silver ring, probably dating to 1350 – 1500, which has a seal matrix with a crowned T. These type of rings are also known as merchant rings. As it is made of silver, it is going through the treasure process.
Photo: Derby Museums Trust CC By SA2.0
Roman bird brooch
A brooch dating to c.AD100 – 200. It retains some of its enamel, orange with blue at the tips of the wings. The PAS record suggests an eagle. An almost identical brooch in Mackreth (2011) is classified as “other” bird.
Photo: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
Cosmetic mortar with bovine head
A cosmetic mortar with a bovine head at one end. Cosmetic mortars are particularly British in use and were in use from 100BC – AD300. They were used to grind mineral powder for cosmetic or medicinal use. The bovine heads us uncommon and hence this is a Find of Note: County importance.