seals

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Medieval Seal Matrix and Intaglio

Seal Types

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Heraldic seal shapes - date periods

Typical seal shapes - date periods

Seals survive both as matrices and as impressions, though impressions are more common. A matrix may be of various kinds. Seals of royalty, great aristocrats and important institutions usually used a circular matrix. Sometimes there were two matrices, a seal and a counterseal, so that the wax impression which resulted would be two sided, with a different design on each side. Circular seals are known as coin seals because they resemble a coin. Coin seals vary considerably in size, but royal seals were often large. Richard III’s great seal, for example, was 900mm in diameter. The seal of a middle-ranking aristocrat would be smaller; perhaps around 350mm in diameter. Fifteenth-century great royal seals normally showed the king galloping on horseback, with drawn sword and a shield bearing the royal arms. In the early middle ages great aristocrats had used similar designs, but by the fifteenth century most of them avoided what had by then come to be seen as a royal pattern. (Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the seal of ‘Warwick the Kingmaker’ is an exception.) Instead most noblemen used seals which depicted their arms, often with the shield couché (inclined at a 45 degree angle) beneath a large helm.

Prior to the fifteenth century pointed oval designs, called vesica seals, were popular with noble women and also with high ranking ecclesiastics. The shape allowed room either to depict a full length standing figure of the owner, or alternatively to show scenes at two levels. Monastic seals often used the latter device, with a main, upper register depicting the monastery’s patron saint, and a small lower register in which the prior or abbot was shown praying. By the fifteenth century, vesica seals were somewhat out of fashion, but they still occur on documents, because monasteries in particular tended to continue using seal matrices made years — or sometimes centuries — earlier.

By the fifteenth century, use of seals was widespread. One nobleman is said to have remarked acidly that in earlier times it had not been the custom for every Tom, Dick and Harry to use a seal. Most seals were quite small, and the most common forms of matrix were the pyramid seal (a small, usually circular design with a stem on the back, by which it could be held) and the signet, which could be of any shape (but was often circular or oval) and comprised the bezel of a ring.

Seal impressions are usually of wax, though royal and papal seals were sometimes impressed in metal such as lead, or even gold. Such metal impressions were called bullæ. (This word is the origin of the expression ‘papal bull’, referring to a sealed letter from the pope.) Seal impressions were not directly attached to their documents, but hung from them on small strips of parchment or (for persons of high rank) silk threads.

ESS-A3AA61 Seal Matrix

TREASURE CASE: 2008 T233 Medieval silver seal matrix with roman intaglio. Weight 5.92 British Museum Report: A Medieval seal matrix, which is oval in shape and set at its centre with a orange-red carnelian, representing an ant climbing on a piece of vegetation. The legend reads: + S I G I L : S E C R E T I (Latin for “Secret Seal”) On the reverse is the suspension loop, which terminates in a trefoil. The intaglio is classical and probably dates to the 1st to 3rd centuries. The motif is quite unusual, although ants and other insects are sometimes represented on Classical gems. There are similarities between the body of the insect and Henig 712, and a possible dragonfly represented on Henig 713 (not illustrated). Henig 711 shows an ant of similar type but from above rather than in profile. (Henig, M. 1978. A corpus of Roman engraved gemstones from British Sites. BAR British Series 8). Dimensions: length 22 mm, width 18 mm. The seal matrix is silver and dates from the thirteenth century; as such it qualifies as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996. J P Robinson Curator of Medieval Collections 18th August 2008

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: Acquired by Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: AD 1200
Date to: AD 1300

Dimensions and weight

Length: 22 mm
Width: 18 mm
Weight: 5.92 g
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Silver

Secondary material: Gem

Manufacture method: Multiple

Completeness: Complete

Stunning c13thC medieval silver seal matrix - Crossed hands and flowers - reported as treasure to museum

Lombardic lettering - Edward type E's and barred A's.

Appears to be be

"Esto Fidelis", which means 'be faithful'

Stunning Circa 13thC 'bust of christ' medieval seal matrix - working on inscription

MARTT NUE :PEVOSM

Medieval seal matrix - ESS-26B3A7

Dates

MEDIEVAL (Certain), 1200 AD - 1400 AD

Object Type:	Seal Matrix
	Medieval (1200-1400) cast copper alloy circular seal matrix with faceted handle on reverse. The handle has six facets and a raised moulded collar before terminating in a pentagonal suspension loop. The matrix has a forward facing halo'd Christ with a cross in the halo. The surrounding legend possibly reads: MARTIN LE (or DE) (P)REVOST probably meaning Martin the provost of a religious house. It has a dark green-brown patina. It is 23.70mm long, 18.57mm in diameter and weighs 9.93 grams.
	Inscription:	MARTIN LE (or DE) (P)REVOST

ESS-0F1F33 Seal Matrix

13th C bronze Vessica seal matrix - 31.48mm H x 18.48mm wide - 8.45g

Script - NOLONIM ESDARI : U

Medieval (13th to 14th Century) cast copper alloy vessical seal matrix. The reverse has a central ridge along its length, with an integral loop at its apex. The matrix depicts a central standing figure, with hands clasped in front. The surrounding legend reads + NO HONI MESDONRI:' The matrix has a dark green patina. It is 31.75mm long, 18.22mm wide, 5.1mm thick and weighs 8.32 grams.