English Medieval Silver Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix for Tailor Roger Simion

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 silver vesica-shaped seal matrix with strap and pierced lug to the reverse; incuse motif of a pair of shears between two small fleurs-de-lys; Lombardic script legend within borders '* S' ROGER · SIMION' (seal of Roger Simion). 14.4 grams, 33 mm



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Matrix Collection catalogue no.0310. 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 shears in the design may indicate that Roger was a tailor.

A lead-alloy bifacial token with on one face a hatched sexfoil rosette within a pelletted border, and the other two opposed birds supporting a processional cross. 0.84 grams, 16 mm



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

Tokens of this type were used in taverns and similar establishments.