THE DESK SEAL OF TOLEDO CATHEDRAL, FIRST IN SPAIN AND INDIES

Seal Detail

A superb brass alloy circular 18th century desk seal from Spain, the matrix well engraved with a central cartouche-like framework within which is St Ildefonsus, Bishop of Toledo is experiencing a vision around 655 AD.  Having laid aside his mitre and crozier, he is praying before the relics of St Leocadia, martyr and patron of the diocese.  She arises from the grave and appears in her glory and thanks him for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The seal is surmounted by a coronet, an archiepiscopal cross and tasselled archbishop's capello romano with a circumscription within a lined border reading:

SANCTA ECCLESIA TOLETANA HISPANIARVM ET IND. PRIMAS. +

(The seal of) The Holy Church of Toledo, First in Spain and the Indies (?) 

Although our research has found that the book on the Toledo Cathedral made no mention of the cathedral seal, it did mention that the Toledo diocese and cathedral took precedence over all others, and was called the Primate Cathedral. 

Seal Specification

Height:  18mm

Diameter of matrix: 45mm 

Weight: 250g