Medieval Enamelled Bronze Limoge Figure of a Saint

An extremely fine seal matrix with a hexagonally facetted handle with a hexagonal and a sub-circular lug, probably to accommodate a chain or cord to allow the seal to be carried about the neck or secured about the person; the base of the matrix handle widening to accommodate the circular die engraved with a bricked castle next to which is half a fleur-de-lis, beneath the image of a fish; the central device surrounded by a circular beaded border separating it from an inscription reading '+S'STEPhE DE POISSIACO. CL'I' for 'Seal of Stephen of Poissy, cleric'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 8.83 grams, 19 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Folkestone and Hythe, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-9E270E.

The central device's motif supports the attribution of this matrix to someone hailing from the modern French town of Possy in the Île-de-France region of France, as the fish and fleur-de-lis are still used as the arms of the town to this day. Additionally, other medieval seals featuring a castle dimidiated with the fleur-de-lys are known with connections to the town, for example, those published by Douët (1865) No. 5050. The owner of this seal shares his name with the famed Stephen or Etienne de Poissy, who'd eventually become Archbishop of Paris and cardinal priest of Sant'Eusebio in Rome. The famed Stephen is particularly well known in English history as he oversaw the signing of the Treaty of Brittany in 1360. It is unlikely that this is the seal of that particular Stephen of Poissy, however, as those with high ecclesiastical postings tended to have large, ornate precious metal seal matrices. This matrix is also of a form probably placing it a generation earlier.

Vesica-shaped with median band flanked by crosses potent and legend 'COMENAL' and to the border 'S’ FRATRVM OSPITAL’ SCI’ TOME', supplied with an impression. 12.22 grams, 39 mm



Found Romney Marsh area, Kent, 1990-2015. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector.

It seems this is the seal of the community of the Brothers of St. Thomas’s Hospital. There was more than one medieval hospital dedicated to St. Thomas Becket in the Middle Ages, e.g. the Hospital of St. Thomas the Martyr (Swale), and that of the same name in Eastbridge, Canterbury.

Comprising a short handle with a collar and a suspension loop, a circular die with a central bird with long head plumes, surrounded by an inscription reading '+S' GVILL'DV_OT+*' for 'seal of William of [placename illegible]; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 7.48 grams, 23 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Folkestone and Hythe, Kent, UK. Property of a Kent gentleman, a specialist medieval collector. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.KENT-D83FAA.