Medieval Bronze Inscribed Seal Matrix

With tiered panels to shoulders, trumpet-shaped bezel, low-relief S-scroll motif with tremolier detailing. 11.11 grams, 28.61 mm overall, 19.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The obverse depicting the busts of St Peter and St Paul each within an inverted pear-shaped compartment defined by pellets; cross pattee supported on a staff between the busts and at the top of the bulla in the centre letters 'SPASPE', abbreviations for St Paul and St Peter; reverse inscribed over three lines 'HONO/RIVS/.PP.III.', with an omega above the letters 'PP'; both obverse and reverse faces with a pelletted perimeter. 51 grams, 41 mm



Found UK. Property of a Worlingworth, Suffolk, UK, private collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Pope Honorius III, born Cencio Savelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 18 July 1216 to his death. A canon at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, he came to hold a number of important administrative positions, including that of Camerlengo.

Heater-shaped with integral loop, reserved butterfly motif on an enamelled field. 14 grams, 45 mm



Found East Anglia, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.