In Memoriam: gordonplumb
Lincoln Cathedral, Treasury, seal matrices of the Dean and Chapter and of the College of Vicars Choral
The Seal matrix of the Dean & Chapter is 12th-century and was re-discovered in 2018 in a box of material. A 19th-century copy had hitherto been exhibited as the 12th-century matrix. The find has been confirmed by experts at the British Museum. It is an exceedingly rare piece of 12th-century silver. The Vicars Choral matrix, found at the same time, is 13th-century in date.
Lloyd de Beer, Ferguson Curator of Medieval Europe at the British Museum, said: “Institutional seal matrices like this are extremely rare, especially in silver and from such an early date. The Lincoln seal is a joy to behold. It is a masterpiece of micro sculpture made by a truly skilled goldsmith. What’s more, the reverse contains beautiful swirls of niello surrounding an enthroned Christ.”
Lincoln Cathedral, Treasury, seal matrices of the Dean and Chapter and of the College of Vicars Choral
The Seal matrix of the Dean & Chapter is 12th-century and was re-discovered in 2018 in a box of material. A 19th-century copy had hitherto been exhibited as the 12th-century matrix. The find has been confirmed by experts at the British Museum. It is an exceedingly rare piece of 12th-century silver. The Vicars Choral matrix, found at the same time, is 13th-century in date.
Lloyd de Beer, Ferguson Curator of Medieval Europe at the British Museum, said: “Institutional seal matrices like this are extremely rare, especially in silver and from such an early date. The Lincoln seal is a joy to behold. It is a masterpiece of micro sculpture made by a truly skilled goldsmith. What’s more, the reverse contains beautiful swirls of niello surrounding an enthroned Christ.”