Today's object is one of many important finds recovered from a Durham riverbed.

OUR tiny Object of the Week remained hidden for hundreds of years, until it was discovered by an underwater archaeologist who has become an expert in his field.

The a 14th century copper-alloy seal matrix was recovered from an important submerged archaeological site in the River Wear close to Elvet Bridge in Durham City.

Read more: Why did a pilgrim throw this silver cross into the murky depths of a North-East river?

This seal, the second such object to be discovered by Gary Bankhead, is classified as a private seal matrix used to secure closed letters.

The object, which is slightly worn, is conical in shape and features a circular die with a hexagonally faceted handle topped by a round collar and pierced terminal.

It has a copper-alloy composition – probably brass – and was most likely cast in a three-part mould before the design was then engraved into the die.

The central design, or motif, depicts a four-leaved design which may be intended to be a four-leaf clover within an eight-pointed star – the star being formed by two overlapping slightly inbound double-stranded squares. Each leaf is rounded and has central and branching veins.

The die is framed by a beaded circular border. Positioned in the spaces between the eight corners of the star is an asterisk and seven Lombardic capitals letters which provide the French inscription ‘PRIVE SV’ which is likely abbreviated from ‘je privé suis’ which means ‘I am private’.

As this seal matrix is anonymous, it is likely to date from the 14th century – seal matrix with personal names are thought to date from the 13th century.

Its primary function was to make an impression on a wax seal to authenticate a document or to keep it closed – more specifically, secret or private (privy) letters.

A similar sized/shaped copper-alloy seal matrix was found by Gary at the same site in 2008, though this first example is classified as an armorial seal matrix and styled IONIS (John) ‘de Insular’, knight.

It features a chevron between three ivy leaves slipped with the inscription ‘S’ IOHIS DE INSVLA’.

A very close parallel to the design of this matrix can be found on a seal impression on a grant by Walter de Insula to Don John de Cotum, chaplain of all his land in Edmundbyers, with the advowson of the church, dated 1325. However, that inscription reads ‘S’ WALTERI DE INSVLA (Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections - 4.5.Spec.2, 14, 15).

Whether casual loss or deliberate disposition, the discovery of two similar objects in the River Wear at Elvet adds to our understanding of the availability and use of seal matrices in Durham during the late-medieval period.

Both objects form part of the Durham River Wear Assemblage of small finds. For more information about the assemblage, visit www.diveintodurham.uk.

  • A new online exhibition exploring 1,000 years of Durham history features Gary's collection.

Since 2007, he has been diving under Elvet Bridge in Durham, gathering over 13,500 objects dating from as early as the 12th century.

In 2008, Gary created the ‘Dive into Durham’ project, which aimed to research and catalogue the River Wear collection.

On the website, a small selection of objects can be explored up close alongside interviews with Gary himself and illustrations which help to bring the collection and their stories to life.

Ranging from Medieval pilgrim badges to Victorian dentures, the objects found in the River Wear bring to light the stories of romance, religion, toys lost through time and artefacts that are weird and wonderful.

This exhibition has been curated by museum and artefact students from Durham University.

Working closely with Gary, they have explored hundreds of objects and revealed hidden stories and objects which dive deeper into Durham’s past.

To explore the collection revealing the hidden stories from the River Wear, visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/attractions/explorefromhome/exhibitions/riverwear/

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