Medieval bronze double seal matrice Astrologer / Alchemist

Code: 10980

This is an interesting medieval bronze seal, dating to the 14th - 15th century. The seal is of a 'chessman' type in an hour-glass shape, engraved with two faces for a 'seal' and 'counter-seal'. It bears an inscription in a Lombardic script, with a central device utilizing the astrological signs for Jupiter and Saturn, by combining them to form a glyph (see the last picture). This may indicate the owner of the seal to have worked in astrology, such as an astrologer. Or perhaps being an alchemist or doctor. The inscription could thus be cryptic and scrambled, known to initiates or other astrologers/alchemists. I read it as +S' LADREN SCEN DE LEC

A similar double-sided example has been recorded from East Riding of Yorkshire YORYM-2D982E

An interesting and original medieval seal, in good excavated condition.

OBJECT: Seal Matrice

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 14th - 15th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Bronze

SIZE: 20mm x 19mm 

WEIGHT:  12.50 grams

PROVENANCE: Ex. European Private Collection, France