Details

LOT 802

Medieval Knight's Armorial Seal Matrix of Sir John Bridsale

(Copper-alloy, 33.65 grams, 39.20 mm high, 30.01 mm diameter.).

Circa 15th century AD. A very large chessman style seal matrix with delicately pierced quatrefoil beneath the suspension loop and a balustered hexagonal shaft; the circular face depicting a crested helm and a shield of arms bearing 'a chevron between three martlets, differenced with a mullet' arms and with the inscription IOHAN BRIDSALE in black letter script.

Provenance

Ex Brian Northley collection.

Footnotes

Bridsale is linked to Birdsall, Yorkshire and the arms are those of the Argam (Argomm) family (undifferenced of Sir Ralph Argam) so this seal is likely to be for a son of the family who became associated with Birdsall. John de Birstalle (1373 AD) of Normanton, Yorkshire may also be connected.

CONDITION