The Medieval Epwell Seal
A complete gold medieval seal matrix of 13th century date and in exceptional condition. The seal matrix is oval in plan with an applied gold spine and suspension loop on the reverse. In the centre of the front of the matrix is an oval dark green jasper intaglio, intricately engraved to depict a female in profile. The female wears a long veil about her head with either hair, or possibly pearls, visible above the forehead.
The matrix has a personal legend in Latin around the outer edge beginning with a six-pointed star and reads ‘*SIGILVM : SECRETI : hEN :’, translated as the ‘Secret seal of Hen’. The ‘h’ is the only lower case letter in the inscription. More information on the seal can be found at: Portable Antiquities Scheme.
The Seal was found by metal detectorists in Epwell in North Oxfordshire in 2015. The total purchase price for the Seal was £26,000.00 of which the Friends are contributing £3,000 seed funding.
The subject of the intaglio is a veiled female, the style probably imitating Hellenistic depictions of Ptolemaic queens, similar to an example from Hereford.
