LOT 0312

Medieval de Blanchfort or de Molay Family Personal Silver Heraldic Seal Matrix

CIRCA 1400-1540 A.D.

1 1/8 in. (12.41 grams, 27 mm high).

With a hexagonal-section facetted handle tapering to a collar of three ridges and openwork trefoil terminal; the face of the matrix with incised heater shield and heraldic arms: a bend and crescent top right; within a trefoil arched tressure a Latin inscription: ' * AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA' meaning: 'Hail Mary, full of grace'; possibly the arms of the de Blanchfort or de Molay family.

Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Charlton Marshall, North Dorset, on 16 February 2022 by John Earley; recorded as Treasure with Treasure case tracking no.2022T500, and subsequently disclaimed by the Crown.

Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.DOR-771829.
Accompanied by a copy of the report on a find of potential Treasure for H M Coroner from Charlton Marshall, Dorset.
Accompanied by a copy of a letter from the British Museum informing the finder that the Crown's interest in the find has been disclaimed.

The basic heraldic design (the arms) comprises just a bend (diagonal stripe). The crescent is a mark of cadency, denoting the second son i.e. the younger brother of the heir apparent. The basic 'bend' motif appears in many heraldic designs, such as the arms of the de Blanchfort or de Molay families, amongst others. The heraldry of the town of Chaussin (Jura, France) is similar (bend and crescent) but these arms are not known to have been borne by a family.