SDO10108 - A Fourteenth Century Silver Seal Matrix from Dorchester. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

Brief report on 'a silver seal matrix dug up by Mr. H.G. Moore of Dorchester in an allotment in Herringston Road, in May 1940. It is one inch in length, has an equal-sided lozenge-shaped base measuring one inch, and a circular top which is 0.625 in. in diameter. The stem is hexagonal in section, splayed out above and below, and has a knop near the centre which is pierced for suspension. The seal on the base is armorial, consisting of a rather elongated heater-shaped shield with a slightly concave top, and bearing a fess embattled counter embattled. Filling the spaces between the shield and the border above ond on either side are sprigs of foliage. The beaded edges of the border enclose the legend in Lombardic letters which reads '+ SIGILLUM:BARTOLOMEI:S:D:PISSAMO' . There is a second matrix on the circular top and this consists of a 'Merchant's Mark'…the surname Pissamo…suggests and Italian origin…'