Seal impression (cast)

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal of the cathedral Chapter of St Magnus Cathedral at Kirkwall in Orkney, dating from the 14th century.

The seal depicts a church with St Magnus, sword in one hand, between two praying figures. The inscription '+ SIGILLUM. CAPITVLI. ORKADENSIS. ECCLESIE. SANCTI. MAGNI' identifies the Chapter. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

St Magnus was an Orcadian jarl who was murdered by his cousin on the island of Egilsay in Orkney. He was later canonised and a cathedral was built in his honour at Kirkwall in the 12th century. The chapter was composed of secular canons who served the cathedral.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-751-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.1999.939
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 14th century
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: + SIGILLUM . CAPITVLI . ORKADENSIS . ECCLESIE . SANCTI . MAGNI
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 77 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: St Magnus
  Young Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Orkney
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the seal of the Chapter of Orkney, depicting St Magnus in a church, 14th century
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 160, no 334 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 160, no 334. 
• Translations:
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