EDO4677 - 14th Century Italian Seal Matrix, Dorchester

A 14th Century Italian Seal Matrix was dug up by Mr H. G. Moore of Dorchester in an allotment in Herringston Road in May 1940. It was inscribed “+SIGILLM: BARTOLOMEI: B: D: PISSMO” which being translated would read “BARTHOLOMEW LORD OF PISSAMO”. He was probably an Italian “merchant prince”. A field survey was conducted on the site by J. Rigg. of the Ordnance Survey Archaeological Division on the 21 August 1954. He also interviewed the then tennant of the allotment from which the seal matrix was recovered. His field notes are recorded on the OS record card as follows. Mr N. Moore is dead. “I now cultivate the allotment previously held by him. I have no knowledge of any special finds.” Mr Bowditch pointed out the allotment in question. No further information regarding the find was obtained during field investigation. [1]