English Medieval Silver Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix for John Baring

An annular gold band with everted upper and lower lip, filigree ropework above and below each rim, with circumferential inscription to the recessed exterior face; of the five separate bands, the central one accommodating an applied strip of paler gold bearing a Medieval French blackletter inscription in relief, reading: '+loiautet (5 five cinquefoils) pas tout (5 five cinquefoils)', or 'Loyalty Passes All'; the inscription band may once have been enamelled; plain interior; the outer rim and twisted band on one edge are slightly bent; cleaned and repaired. 2.57 grams, 19.60 mm overall,17.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Bettiscombe, Dorset, UK, on 26th September 2019, and reported as a find of potential treasure to Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, Finds Liaison Officer. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report number DOR-551573. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum to H M Senior Coroner for Dorset disclaiming the Crown's interest in the treasure find with reference number 2019 T1075. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11656-197165.

The PAS report states that Joan Evans notes a similar inscription- 'LOIALTE PASE TO' - found on plate and ornaments in the inventories of Louis d'Anjou and Louis de Valois, duc de Touraine...' in her book English Posies and Posy Rings.

A mixed group of lead pilgrim badges of different types: a wedge-shaped fragment displaying an openwork oval design; a semi-circular fragment bearing the letters 'CT' on a cross-hatched field; a pointed arch-shaped fragment decorated with lozenges, each populated with a single pellet, two piercings; a discoid example with raised central flower head, enclosed by concentric roundels decorated with geometric forms including pellets, ring-and-dot motifs and hatched lines, together with incomplete legend. 20.3 grams total, 29-39 mm



Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

A substantial bronze vesica-shaped seal matrix with thick strap and two pierced lugs to the reverse; incuse motif of a standing robed ecclesiastic with processional cross in one hand, the other raised in sign of benediction, nimbus and mitre to the head, three stars in the field; pelletted border with legend in Lombardic script '+ S: ECCLIA : SANCTI : BASILIC : DESTAMPIS' (seal of the holy basilica church of Estampes"). 27.9 grams, 44 mm



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.1087. 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.

Estampes is located in the Gers department of south-west France where the church is dedicated to Saint Barthélémy.