Seal impression (cast)

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the 2nd seal of the Abbot of Dryburgh Abbey in Roxburghshire, dating from 1368.

The damaged impression depicts an abbot on a platform within a Gothic niche. The inscription 'S' ABBATIS [DE DRI] BOVRGH' translates as 'Seal of the Abbot of Dryburgh'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Seals are evidence of the paperwork involved in running a complex organisation. They were signs of the medieval Church's huge authority, combining the functions of signature and logo to show that documents were genuine.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-806-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.1334
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 1368
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: S' ABBATIS (DE DRI) BOVRGH
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 46 mm L x 34 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Dryburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the 2nd seal of the Abbot of Dryburgh, 1368
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 177, no 66 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 177, no. 66. 
• Translations:
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