Medieval Ecclesiastic Seal Dominican Friar or Scribe "Fishers of Men"

This is a wonderful and very expressive medieval vesica-shaped seal, dating to the 13th century AD. The seal depicts a flat-fish very well cut with great personality! The owner's name is inscribed in Lombardic script, using an abbreviated Latin, reading to me as: "S' EGID HCTICI D.O.N. AING". "The seal of Aegidius Helicis, of the Dominican Order of Preachers Aing" (Angers in France?) This would relate to a preacher or Friar of the Dominican Order, the fish being a staple diet, but also alluding to Dominicans as "fishers of men".

This is a very nice vesica seal, intact with the original suspension loop for hanging from a cord or lace. Such a seal would have been used to authenticate letters and communication from a monk or scribe. A lovely seal with a nice patina!

OBJECT: Seal Matrice

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 13th century AD

MATERIAL: Bronze

SIZE: 31.5mm x 20mm x 8mm

WEIGHT: 12.21 grams

PROVENANCE: From a private collection, Rouen. France.