Medieval Bronze Seals for sale
Bronze seals during the medieval period were the possession of the more wealthy people as they cost more to produce than the lead seals and had a longer life span due to the hardness of the metal. The lead seals would have been easily broken as the metal is soft. Bronze seals can be found in chess piece shape, mostly round at the base with a long neck and decorated head with a loop in for suspension. Vessica Shape (oval with pointed ends) or round with suspension loops at the back. Last of all is the shield shaped seals, these are sometimes flat with a loop at the back or chess piece shape as above but with a shield face. The status of the owner was reflected in the size of the seal. The height of the face of the seal was a reflection of the owner’s importance, and in the religious hierarchy no one was allowed to own a seal as grand as that issued by their superiors.
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| | Medieval 'ADC LOPLORHC Figural' Vessica Seal Matrix 016701 | Medieval 'ADC LOPLORHC Figural' Vessica Seal Matrix Copper-alloy, 6.35 grams, 32.01 mm. 13th-14th century AD. A vesica-shaped seal with a flat obverse face and vertical ridge on the reverse, with suspension looop at the top. The obverse shows a right-facing female bust wearing a necklace and with swept-back hair. The seal text reads SIGILLVM ADC LOPLORHC, seal of.... Reference: Pateman, B. Collecting Seals, London, 2008. Good fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection. | £175.00  |  |
| | Medieval 'Addorsed Birds' Seal Matrix 017149 | Medieval 'Addorsed Birds' Seal Matrix Copper-alloy, 6.77 grams, 18.52 mm. 14th-16th century AD. A later medieval 'chessman' seal matrix with suspension loop. The design features a pair of addorsed birds looking over their shoulders at each other within a narrow epigraphic border. The legend reads C[.]EDEIM[...]. Reference: cf. Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity, Vol.1, Langport, 2001, item 585ff. Extremely fine condition. Provenance: found Cambridgeshire, England. | £225.00 |  |
| | Medieval 'Clasped Hands' Seal Matrix 016656 | Medieval ‘Clasped Handsl’ Seal Matrix Copper-alloy, 6.27 grams, 20.63 mm. 14th century AD. A standard form of medieval seal matrix in the form of a disc expanding to a hexagonal column surmounted by a suspension loop. The central panel design comprises of clasped hands with a bird above. The legend reads 'LALAMIAVET' with a lys and star between. Reference: Harvey, P.D.A. & McGuinness, A. A Guide to British Medieval Seals, London, 1996, p.9. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Stockport, England. | £225.00 |  |
| | Medieval 'Crowned R' Seal Matrix 014449 | Medieval 'Crowned R' Seal Matrix Copper-alloy, 12.44 grams, 27.72 mm tall, 16.83 mm diameter. Circa 16th century. Of cast 'chessman' form with hexagonal shank and pentagonal suspension. The face of the seal engraved with a crown over the letter 'R', with a palm leaf to each side. Reference: Benet Artefacts of England and the United Kingdom, page 413, number M10-0113. In excellent condition and giving a superb impression. | £125.00 |  |
| | Medieval 'Lion' Named Seal Matrix 014354 | Rare Medieval 'Human-Headed Lion' Named Seal Matrix Copper-alloy, 7.86 grams, 21.18 mm tall, 17.50 mm diameter. Circa 13th century AD. Of 'chessman' shape with pentagonal suspension loop and collar linked onto the hexagonal section shaft, splaying out to the circular seal face. The seal has an orientation mark of three pellets to indicate the position of the top of the design when in use. The face of the seal matrix depicting the incuse design of a rampant lion with the legend *S'NICHI.D'STONET'ELI for 'Seal of Nicholas of Stonet Eli'; most probably of Ely, Cambridgeshire. Reference: Bryon Pateman, Collecting Seals, pages 100-102 for similar examples. Rare and near extremely fine condition, giving an excellent impression. Found near Newbury, Berkshire. | £375.00 |  |
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