13th-century Medieval Wax Seal – St. Mary’s Abbey In Juliers, Germany. Middle Ages

13th-century medieval wax seal – St. Mary’s Abbey in Juliers, Germany. Middle Ages

Rare 13th-century personal wax seal, shaped like a mandorla or a shuttle, which belonged to Egides (the medieval form of the first name Gilles), abbot of St. Mary’s Abbey in Juliers (Jülich), in Germany.

The seal depicts the abbot standing, dressed in his liturgical vestments, holding his abbatial crozier in his right hand. The peripheral legend, still partially legible, bears the inscription: “S. Egidii Aba... Marie de Iuli ,” corresponding to the seal of Abbot Egides of the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Juliers.

The reverse side features a perfectly legible counter-seal, adorned with a large “E” in its center, confirming the personal nature of this seal impression.

The seal has retained its through-tail made of vellum, an element of particular interest for understanding how it was affixed to medieval documents. It belongs to the so-called “cake” seal typology.

Measuring 5.8 cm in height, this piece bears witness to administrative practices and the use of sigillography in medieval religious institutions. Abbey seals are valuable testimonies to ecclesiastical authority and the identity of their bearers.

Originating from a former collection, this seal was appraised by Roch de Coligny of the Cabinet Honoré d’Urfé in Paris.

A rare and particularly interesting medieval artifact, both because it is attributed to an identified abbot and because its counter-seal and parchment tail are preserved. A piece rarely seen on the market, intended for collectors of antique seals, sigillography, and historical objects from the Middle Ages.

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A252

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