Seal tool treasure could have romantic past
- Published
A medieval seal tool with a possible romantic past is among archaeological items declared as treasure by Cornwall's coroner.
The tool, used to create wax seals, has a picture of two people in a rowing boat, one with paddle or oar and one leaning over the side.
Laura Miucci, Cornwall's finds liaison officer, said it may have been a lovers' seal with the figures in the boat representing the Roman god Cupid.
The find was part of treasure inquests at Truro's Coroner's Court of items discovered in 2023 and 2024.
'Fascinating'
The inquest also included a cufflink from the 18th Century, Bronze Age copper ingot fragments and Bronze Age alloy palstaves, a type of axe used for clearing woodland.
Ms Miucci said the finds, all of which were classified as treasure, were "fascinating" although none was particularly rare.
The Royal Cornwall Museum, in Truro, expressed interest in buying the hoard of copper ingots, an inquest heard.
Coin hoards, metallic objects more than 300 years old and made of at least 10% gold or silver, and groups of prehistoric metal objects are among the archaeological finds classed as treasure by the government.
Anyone who finds treasure in England and Wales has 14 days to report it to their local finds officer or coroner.
If a treasure find is bought, for example by a museum, the fee is usually split between the finders and the landowner provided it was found legally.
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