£50 - £80
Medieval Edward III lead alloy discoidal document seal/bull dating from the 14th century AD. 53mm, 59g. The description of a similar seal on the PAS database states:
The obverse has the Arms of England, a shield with three lions passant, but facing right instead of left. The shield is then encircled by a laurel wreath. The legend around the obverse, reading EDW T R ANGLI DNS HB LONDON (the 'N' in DNS is reversed), is perhaps indicative of this seal being linked to an official Edwardian Privy Seal or, someone implying that connection. The reverse has a round flower of six ovate petals with central stems, contained within a wire circle.
An identical seal is discussed and illustrated in Cherry (1991:34 and figure 9), where the author suggests his example is a box lid. The example illustrated does not have the loop that the example recorded herein does, which strongly suggests that it was suspended from another object rather than being an integral part of one, as the loop would not have supported any weight. It is suggested here then that these are actually document seals, possibly with Royal approval, similar to Papal bullae. The inscription EDWARD TERTIVS REX ANGLIE DOMINVS HYBERNIE LONDON (Edward III, King of England, Lord of Scotland, London) has been abbreviated. Cherry (ibid.) notes that the heraldry and inscription used on the seal dates the object to between AD 1327-1340. He also suggests that the word London may suggest that these artefacts were issued in different ports or towns, Similar examples recorded on this database include BERK-6B34C7 and SWYOR-F2A081.
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/842674
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
26.40% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
30% inc VAT*
