Seal matrix

An incised object that was used to impress a design on to hot wax when authenticating documents. Seal matrices have been in use since Roman times, when they were known as intaglios, and can be made of metal, stone, precious stone and glass. They may also be part of a piece of jewellery such as a ring. A few seal matrixes have been found in Buckinghamshire, such as that on Road Farm, Great Missenden, dating to the thirteenth century or the post-medieval example found east of Wellwick Farm, Wendover.