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Description: | Medieval copper alloy oval seal matrix with a pedestal top dating from the mid-14th to mid-15th centurys. The top of the matrix is a slightly faceted hexagonal pedestal toppped with a pierced ring. It is 24.4mm tall and the terminal ring is 8.6mm in external diameter and 2.5mm in internal diameter, it shows few signs of wear. Near the rim on the top are three circular depression; these mark the point opposite the start of the legend on the base allowing the user to correctly orientate the seal. The base is 25.0mm long by 20.4mm wide and the entire item weighs 11.54 grams.The design consists of a central image surrounded by a pellet border and then the legend surrounded by a further pellet border. The central image shows a standing Saint Catherine with a kneeling figure - possibly a monk. Saint Catherine is draped and crowned (the crown symbolising her sainthood); she holds a wheel (symbol of her marterdom) and a book (symbolising her learning). The kneeling figure is probably male and wears a hooded gown with the hood lying down their back; they are either tonsured or wearing a brimmed hat. Their feet project through the inner circle into the area containing the legend. They have their hands raised in prayer and from their hands rises a stem with four flowers, these appear to be violets (symbolising humility and faithfulness in love (including love of God)) or pansys (symbolising the trinity and also thought or thoughtfulness).The legend reads GAVDE VIRGO CATERINA (the N is retrograde); Rejoice Virgin Catherine.The quality of this example is very good and the workmanship is extremely high suggesting that it was made for and used by someone of high standing within the community; the use of bronze though would suggest that it was a functional rather than status piece. It is inpersonal and was possibly not ingraved to order but brought 'off the shelf' however several seals of this type are known which refer to different saints and the purchaser would have selected to use a seal of Saint Catherine who may have been their patron saint or a saint with who they had affinity. Saint Catherine was considered to be one of the fourteen most helpful saints in heaven, she was widely venerated in the medieval period and was the particular patron of young women, women student, philosphers, theologians, wheelwrights and mechanics but was also adopted as a patron by many others.Similar seals but with different central saints can be seen on the database, e.g. SUSS-B32995, NMS-EC7FB5, IHS-1B12E3. Other seals of Sait Catherine include IHS-015794, NMS-758A45 and IHS-774627 which has a very similar central design.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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