English Medieval Silver Chessman Type Seal Matrix

An icon from a possible triptych of Veneto-Cretan School depicting nimbate Saint Francis of Assisi, wearing the brown habit of the Franciscan order, fitted with a hood, facing towards the right, a red book in his left hand with the inscription Vera S. Francisci effigies(true portrait of Saint Francis); mounted in a perspex display frame. 152 grams, 20 cm high



Property of a London lady, part of her family's collection.

With the conquest of Crete by the Venetians, Latin saints were introduced to Byzantine iconography. Saint Francis was one of the most beloved Latin saints among the Cretan faithful, depicted in the iconography of Cretan Orthodox churches, including the Panaghia Kera of Kritsa (13th-14th century A.D.). This figure was probably part of a triptych, having at the centre the image of the Mother of God with the Child, or a Desis. The placement of Francis in this icon would suggests the owner’s strong affiliation with the Franciscan order, which had a strong presence on Crete from the 13th century onwards. It was believed that Saint Francis himself stopped on the island on his way to the Holy Land in 1219.

A bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with loop to the reverse; central standing nimbate figure of St John the Baptist in loose robe supporting a figure of the Agnus Dei in one hand and pointing to it with the other; Lombardic script text between beaded borders '+ AGNE DEI MISERERE · MEI · QVI · CRIMINA · TOLL' (O Lamb of God who takes away offences, have mercy on me). 15.2 grams, 36 mm



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.907. Many of the seals within the collection were published in a book titled 'The Matrix Collection', by David Morris in 2012. Accompanied by a copy of the illustrated collection notes.

The legend is a paraphrase of John 1:29 where 'peccatum' (sins) stands instead of 'crimina' (offences).

A copper-alloy ring composed of a hoop expanding at the shoulders to a large sub-circular bezel, engraved with an animated stylised figure with enigmatic symbols in the field, all within a roundel. 5.03 grams, 23.74 mm overall, 21.11 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W, USA 11, Europe 25, Japan 24)



Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.