POST MEDIEVAL SEAL MATRIX

1600

Post-medieval silver armorial seal matrix. The reverse comprises an octagonal-section handle with three transverse ribs and globular terminal loop; a stamped oval with a counter-relief black-letter J indicates the upper edge for the orientation of the seal. Oval, 19 x 17mm. Weight 11.06g.The die is engraved with an achievement of arms (the full coat of arms, supporters and all associated heraldic components). The shield bears A catherine wheel impaling on a fess between three pheons a deer [or buck] couchant to sinister. There is a small closed helm and elaborate mantling, and the crest is A demi-male figure holding a heart in his raised left hand. The shield is sub-oval with rounded shoulders and the base somewhat abbreviated, being curved to follow the lower edge of the matrix.Clive Cheesman comments '[the matrix] seems to show the arms and crest of several Scottish Davidson families (Davidson of Curriehill, Davidson of Carnbrogie etc) impaled with another coat of arms. The oddity is that the Davidson arms are the ones on the wife's side (it's a couchant buck or deer on a fess between, as you say, three pheons), and you would expect the crest to be the husband's. But it's clearly the Davidson crest (a man or a boy holding a heart). The best explanation (other than a simple engraving error) is that the arms on the "husband's" side are those of an institution, and the seal was that of the master of the institution who impaled the institutional arms ex officio. Possibilities include St Catherine's Hall (now College) Cambridge, St Katharine's College & Hospital by the Tower, and the Turners' Company in London. I cannot find any Davidsons who were masters of St Catherine's in Cambridge or the Turners' Company (lists of both are on line) but there may be other bodies that used these simple arms of a Catherine Wheel - including of course some in Scotland'. 17th century.