Seal impression (cast), of Bishop Florence

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal of Florence, Bishop of Glasgow, dating from around 1202.

The seal depicts a figure seated at a desk, presumably Florence, holding a rod or staff. The incomplete inscription '+ SIGILL FLOREN ... SGVENSIS. ELECTI' translates as 'Seal of Florence, [Bishop] elect of Glasgow'. The gold border around the impression is modern cardboard trim.

Bishops, as heads of the dioceses, were administrators as well as a spiritual leaders. Seals were used in their letters and documents, to confirm that they were authentic.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-748-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.1999.895
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1202
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: + SIGILL FLOREN ... SGVENSIS . ELECTI
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 63 mm L x 42 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Florence, Bishop of Glasgow
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the seal of Florence, Bishop of Glasgow, depicting a seated figure at a desk, c. 1202
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 109, no 3 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p109, no 3. 
• Translations:
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