A seal matrix is a metal stamp with a design, used to press into sealing wax and make a seal. Seals both secured and authorised documents. Those of middling status and above, with property, money or official role, would need to seal documents or send letters while managing personal, family or community business. The image impressed in the wax would identify the sender to legitimise the contents. This particular seal has a ‘memento mori’ inscription around a central image (a skull). ‘Memento mori’ in Latin translates as ‘remember death’ or ‘remember you will die’.<br /> <br /> At this time there was a widespread culture of memento mori inscriptions and imagery, which reflected commitment to Christian faith as a reminder to meditate on mortality and display hope or trust in a heavenly afterlife. Memento mori imagery could be found on a variety of early modern personal objects, particularly items of jewellery. Rings, in particular, were often gifted to close friends in wills as a remembrance of the deceased person.<br /> <br /> A seal matrix such as this could be carried about the person. A ribbon or strap would be passed through the loop on the handle, and then secured to an item of clothing such as a belt. Such objects served to perform and promote piety; they could help their owner remember the importance of humility and faith while displaying this understanding to others. This would be especially important for middling sorts, who were often invested in charitable acts, and had responsibilities within their local community with regards to governance. As such, they were conscious of their role as models and examples of expected behaviour. This matrix, then, could indicate to those around them their good spiritual and moral standing.
Memento Mori Seal Matrix Fragment (Seal matrix), 1600s

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Memento Mori Seal Matrix Fragment

Memento Mori Seal Matrix Fragment (Seal matrix), 1600s

A seal matrix is a metal stamp with a design, used to press into sealing wax and make a seal. Seals both secured and authorised documents. Those of middling status and above, with property, money or official role, would need to seal documents or send letters while managing personal, family or community business. The image impressed in the wax would identify the sender to legitimise the contents. This particular seal has a ‘memento mori’ inscription around a central image (a skull). ‘Memento mori’ in Latin translates as ‘remember death’ or ‘remember you will die’.

At this time there was a widespread culture of memento mori inscriptions and imagery, which reflected commitment to Christian faith as a reminder to meditate on mortality and display hope or trust in a heavenly afterlife. Memento mori imagery could be found on a variety of early modern personal objects, particularly items of jewellery. Rings, in particular, were often gifted to close friends in wills as a remembrance of the deceased person.

A seal matrix such as this could be carried about the person. A ribbon or strap would be passed through the loop on the handle, and then secured to an item of clothing such as a belt. Such objects served to perform and promote piety; they could help their owner remember the importance of humility and faith while displaying this understanding to others. This would be especially important for middling sorts, who were often invested in charitable acts, and had responsibilities within their local community with regards to governance. As such, they were conscious of their role as models and examples of expected behaviour. This matrix, then, could indicate to those around them their good spiritual and moral standing.

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Object Type Seal matrix
Year 1600s
Material Silver
Discovered North Yorkshire
Owned By PAS LVPL-776E04
Keywords remembering; writing; wearing; owning; giving; inheriting; belief; memory; administration; death; metal; personal possession
Image Credit Seal Matrix (1600s), Portable Antiquities Scheme PAS LVPL-776E04, Courtesy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme Creative Commons BY 3.0.

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