Image: Seal StonePriory Staffordshire 13th14thC (MirrorImage)
Description: Seal of Stone Priory in Staffordshire, 13th/14th c. In August 2011 a 13th-century bronze seal, used by the Prior to seal legal documents with wax, was found by a metal detectorist in a field near Cobham in Surrey. Mandorla-shaped, as in the shape of an almond, customary for ecclesiastical seals, it depicts the Virgin Mary seated, holding up in her right hand a palm-frond of martyrdom. On her knee sits the infant Christ, with halo, holding in his left hand an object, possibly a bound book of the gospels or a model of the Priory Church building at Stone, his right hand raised with two fingers giving a sign of blessing. All is circumscribed by a Latin inscription: S(igillum) ecc(lesia)e S(an)c(ta)e Mari(a)e et S(an)c(t)i W(u)lfadi Martiris de Stanis" ("the seal of the church of Saint Mary and Saint Wulfad, Martyr, of Stone"). The seal was named as the 17th best historical find in the UK on Britain’s Secret Treasures, a collaboration between the British Museum and ITV television. The Stone Historical Society and churches within the town of Stone raised the £8,000 funding target required to secure the seal's permanent display in Stone. This was the result of a whirlwind of fundraising events over several months, including the sale of wax imprints of the seal. Stone Town Council donated £1,000 to the fund. Philip Leason, chairman of Stone Historical Society, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we are able to keep this important part of the heritage of Stone in the town. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund. We have now started on the second phase of fundraising to buy a case in which to display it (the one it is in at the moment is borrowed) and to have a some conservation work done on the seal".
Title: Seal StonePriory Staffordshire 13th14thC (MirrorImage)
Credit: http://alittlebitofstone.com/2011/09/18/bit-of-medieval-stone-found-in-surrey-field/
Author: Unknown engraver 1200/1300
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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