Bronze Medieval Style Virgin with Child Inscription Desk Seal
Seal Detail
A well presented circular desk seal in bronze, the reverse comprising supporting fin with suspension hole, the obverse comprising central depiction of Our Lady, crowned and seated on a throne with Child on her knee, stars in the background and circumscription within a lined border reading:
S: CONVENTVS : ECCL'IE : VALLISREGIS
A seal of the convent called after the valley of the king. The seal is in excellent condition and it is partially because of this that it is supposed to be a 19th century replica of a medieval original. The 19th century came with a profound thirst for knowledge, especially in England. The effect of this was to produce copies of rare medieval seals so that individuals could own a part of the country's past within their own private collections. I believe this to be one of these examples but it must be said that 19th century replicas are themselves in demand to collectors in their own right! Of course, there are copies and there are copies and this one is one that is of superb quality and condition.
Seal Specification
Height 20mm
Diameter of matrix 45mm
Weight 45g