Agate gem in medieval seal matrix: Standing muse

PP-ID:

PP-5897

Classification:

seal matrix; pendant; gem, non-specified

Collection ID:

UK-BM-BEP_2018,8023.1

Collection:

London, British Museum

Collection Inventory:

2018,8023.1

Material:

agate, green to grey; silver

Dimensions:

pendant: 25.23 × 19.84 × 6.73 mm

Date:

pendant: AD 13th–14th century; gem: 2nd–1st century BC

Iconography:

muse; scroll; unspecified long dress; cap

Provenience:

Wargrave, Bershire

Seal matrix
Rounded oval silver pendant with an intaglio in the centre, surrounded by an inscription. On the back, a central ridge extends to a loop at the top.
Nearly complete; a small transverse collar below the loop is now missing; the bottom part of the ridge has broken off.
Seal legend: +IOhS:EST:NOMEN:EIVS: → Ioh(anne)s est nomen eius. 'John is his name'

Gem
Upright oval banded agate intaglio. Muse standing to left, holding a scroll; wearing a long dress and a hat; scroll-case (capsa) at her feet; groundline.Complete and well preserved.

Selected bibliography
• Cherry–Henig 2018 >>, 108–109, fig. 113.

Further resources on PP-5897
• Portable Antiquities Scheme Database
• The British Museum Collection online

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Last modified:

2025.10.22 16:00:17

Permalink:

https://phoinixplatform.org/object/5897

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