Post-Medieval — 16th century
Seal for St Mary Bel
Sealed documents helped to express the power and authority of the Church. Every religious house had a unique seal to validate decrees executed in its name. This example belonged to a convent dedicated to St Mary Bel. It is made from gilded bronze and is inscribed 'VERO. HOT. EST SIGILLVM. CONENTVALI. DO'VS. bA'T MA. DE. bEL'('Truly this is the seal of the conventual house of the Blessed Mary of Bel). The engraver clearly did not understand Latin, inscribing 'HOT' for 'HOC' [This]. The location of St Mary Bel is not known.
- Category:
- Post-Medieval
- Object ID:
- A1497
- Object name:
- seal for St Mary Bel
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 16th century
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- L 86 mm, W 54 mm, D 23 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.