Details

LOT 883

Medieval - Lead Papal Bulla Seal - Alexander IV

(49.71 grams, 39 mm diameter.).

1254-1261 AD. A lead seal from a papal Bull of Alexander IV (Rinaldo Di Segni); First Type. Obv: facing busts of Saints Paul and Peter with SPA SPE inscription above and long cross between. Rev: ALE XANDER PP IIII inscription in three lines.

Provenance

Ex 6th Earl of Arran (Sir Arthur Gore), 1920.

Literature

W. de Gray Birch, Seals in the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum, Vol. 6, p. 275, no. 12,791 (from a Bull dated 1255 AD), pl. VII; D'Arcq, no. 6049.

Footnotes

These lead seals were attached to papal 'bulls' or documents issued by the Pope.

CONDITION