Medieval Bronze Vesica-Shaped Seal Matrix with Virgin and Child

Circular die with central W motif and S’ CVNRADI GVFMAN for 'Seal of Conrad Gufman' legend, a tapering ovate sectioned handle with quatrefoil loop terminating to a second, smaller circular die also bearing a central W motif. 14.34 grams, 26 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Langtoft, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK, circa 2018. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.YORYM-2D982E.

With central 'Virgin and Child' motif and head of supplicant beneath, pelletted border and legend '* AVE MARIA GRACIA PL' (Hail Mary [full of] grace); strap and loop to the reverse. 6.82 grams, 30 mm



Found Southern England. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From an East Anglian private collection.

Formed with a slightly curved profile and with suspension loops; buff-coloured. 298 grams, 26.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Apart from badges as souvenirs of visits to various saints’ shrines, pilgrims might also bear away with them various noise-making items such as horns, whistles, rattles and bells. The miniature horn-shaped lead whistles known from London and Salisbury bear various inscriptions including bla me [blow me] and ave maria. In the contemporary ‘morality’ play Mankind (c.1465-70) of East Anglian provenance, the character Nought says I kan pype in a Walsyngham wystyll, which suggests that such souvenir whistles were available from the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham too, and that already such ‘tourist’ trinkets were regarded as a proverbial type of worthlessness, ‘not worth a whistle’, indeed.