Find Spot record MDO19166 - Medieval seal matrix from Herringston Road Allotments, Dorchester

Dug up by Mr H G Moore of Dorchester in an allotment in Herringston Road in may 1940, a 14th cent silver seal matrix inscribed “+SIGILLM: BARTOLOMEI: B: D: PISSMO” which being translated would read “BARTHOLOMEW LORD OF PISSAMO”.

Dug up by Mr H. G. Moore of Dorchester in an allotment in Herringston Road in may 1940, a 14th cent silver seal matrix inscribed “+SIGILLM: BARTOLOMEI: B: D: PISSMO” which being translated would read “BARTHOLOMEW LORD OF PISSAMO”. He was probably an Italian “merchant prince”. <1>

(SY69088935) Mr H Moore is dead "I now cultivate the allotment held by him. I have no knowledge of any special finds." Mr Bowditch pointed out the allotment in question. No further information regarding this find was obtained during field investigation. <2>

<1> Drury, G D, 1940, A Fourteenth Century Silver Seal Matrix from Dorchester; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO10108.

'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 an Italian origin…'

<2> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 27-AUG-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<2.1> Bowditch, Mr, Oral: Mr Bowditch, Herringston, Dorchester (Verbal communication). SDO19123.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451965 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 6 2023 4:47PM