Seal impression (cast)

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the reverse of the 2nd seal of Inchaffray Abbey in Perthshire, dating from the 14th century.

The seal depicts the side of a monastic church. In the central arch is the figure of St John, the patron saint of the abbey. The inscription 'S' COMVNE : ECCE : SCI. IOH' IS : EWANGELISTE. DE. INSVLA. MISSARVM' identifies the abbey. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Inchaffray Abbey was built in 1200 on an artificial island, giving rise to the name Island of the Masses ('Insula Missarum'). It was the burial place for the earls of Strathearn and their families.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-756-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.1999.1354
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 14th century
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: S' COMVNE : ECCE : SCI . IOH' IS : EWANGELISTE . DE . INSVLA . MISSARVM
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 79 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: St John
  
• Where: Scotland, Perthshire, Inchaffray
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the reverse of the 2nd seal of Inchaffray Abbey, depicting the side of a church with full figure of St John, 14th century
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 184, no 125 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 184, no 125. 
• Translations:
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