Medieval Armorial Seal Matrice

Code: 12118

This is a nice medieval bronze armorial seal, dating to the early 15th century. It would have once belonged to a knight, bearing his arms within a heater shield. The armorial displays as 'three eagles impaled against a branch of roses or flowers'. The arms on this seal are 'impaled' this denotes a marriage, where one family has married into (impaling the arms of) another. The legend is deeply cut in a 'Black Letter' script, reading as 'Iehan dareies' The seal is of a 'chessman' type with a plain handle. These were extremely important objects to their owners, seldom misplaced or lost as credit cards are kept today. On the death of the owner, their seals were broken up and destroyed. This example is clearly intact and in perfect condition. Similar armorial seals have been recorded from Cambridge (SF-43A30C) and Northampton (IHS-0BB4C1).

OBJECT: Seal Matrice

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 15th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Bronze

SIZE: 26.5mm tall x 22.4mm diameter 

WEIGHT:  18.68 grams

PROVENANCE:  Formerly in a private collection, Troyes. France.