Late Medieval to Stuart Buckle Group

A substantial bronze seal matrix with pierced tongue-shaped handle, incuse star close to the rim for alignment of the design; central heraldic heater shield with stylised wreath surrounding; design of a vertical bar with forked upper finial flanked by two cinquefoils; border with incuse edges and incuse 'lieu en sce peueu et gherzte' or similar slightly enigmatic inscription, possibly relating to a location in the Netherlands; with collector number '2563' on back of disc. 32.11 grams, 31 mm wide



The Matrix Collection, formed by David Morris since the late 1980s. Acquired Libert, October 2008, lot 65. Matrix Collection catalogue no.2563. 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.

An openwork lead badge composed of a crowned facing male bust within a roundel bearing the inscription '+ IANCOVLMASE'; complete with pin. 1.78 grams, 22 mm



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

This enigmatic inscription has been found on other similar badges, but is yet to be satisfactorily understood. It is possibly associated with the cult of Edward the Confessor or representing the head of John the Baptist.

A silver-gilt fede ring composed of a flat-section hoop with expanded bottom section and quatrefoil bezel; the hoop engraved with alternating vertical and horizontal hatched panels with expanded central section crudely engraved with clasped hands; bezel engraved with a cross embellished with cross-hatching in each quarter of the field. 2.69 grams, 24.69 mm overall, 22.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.23, Japan 25)



Found near Brookland, Kent, UK, 2007. Property of a Kent gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no. KENT-299A33. Accompanied by a copy of two letters from the British Museum and report for HM Coroner for Treasure case T493. Accompanied by a valuation letter and another from Peter D Spencer. Accompanied by a provisional treasure valuation for the Treasure Valuation Committee.

The quatrefoil bezel is in the form of a truelove (paris quadrifolia) as the plant was called in Middle English. Two fifteenth-century wills include the bequest of rings in the shape of a truelove: in 1407 an anulum argenti operatum cum uno trewlove [silver ring fashioned with a truelove] and in 1464, unum anulum argenti et deauratum cum uno trew lofe [a silver and silver-gilt ring with a truelove] On seals the device is most often accompanied by the legend LEL AMI AVET [you have a true love] confirming its identification with faithful love, and on a matrix recently unearthed [PAS database SWYOR-B7EDA9] the characteristic four veined leaves are surrounded by the posy, IS SVI FLVRE/ DE FINN AMVVR [I am the flower of perfect love].