15th-century Seal Matrix – Former Adrien P. De Longpérier Collection, Louvre, Medieval

15th-century seal matrix – Former Adrien P. de Longpérier Collection, Louvre, Medieval

A superb 15th-century bronze seal matrix, remarkable both for the quality of its engraving and its exceptional state of preservation.

Unlike many examples discovered in archaeological contexts, this die has survived the centuries under particularly favorable conditions, thus preserving the delicacy of its decoration and the sharpness of its details. It now offers a remarkable insight into the work of the medieval engraver.

At its center is a coat of arms depicting a bird, accompanied by a star. Surrounding it is the inscription “P. Hepeterii,” corresponding to the name of the seal’s owner. The finely executed composition attests to the care taken in crafting these personal objects, which in the Middle Ages served as a true sign of identity and authentication.

This die has a prestigious provenance, as it comes from the former collection of Henri Adrien Prévost de Longpérier (1816–1882), an eminent archaeologist, numismatist, and curator of Antiquities at the Louvre from 1847 to 1869. A leading figure in 19th-century French scholarship, he actively contributed to the expansion and organization of national collections, particularly at the Louvre, and helped establish the Museum of Celtic and Gallo-Roman Antiquities in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres beginning in 1854, he maintained close ties with Napoleon III, who sought his expertise for imperial archaeological projects. His career and work make him a significant figure in the history of French collections and archaeology.

Thanks to the quality of its craftsmanship, its exceptional state of preservation, and its historical provenance, this seal matrix is a prime piece for a collector of medieval seals, ancient bronzes, or objects related to the history of sigillography.

Dimensions: diameter: 2.2 cm; height: 2.8 cm

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A242

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