Seal Detail

A rare and unusual steel and silver French Chapter seal, the handle of flat-top octagonal form with gently tapering stem, pin-pricked with the date 12.6.57 to a circular silver matrix deeply engraved with a central depiction of St George slaying a dragon and inscription within a ribbon reading:

S: CAPITVLVM STAIN

This beautifully engraved matrix with a good degree of texture worked into the image shows St George and the dragon which, coincidently, is the coat of arms of the town of Villeneuve St Georges which is only 24km away from Stain (Seine-Saint-Denis department outside Paris). It is likely therefore that this seal covered both these towns within the diocese of Villenueve. 

Seal Specification

Height:  85mm

Diameter of matrix:  30mm 

Weight:  149g