Seal impression (cast), of Bishop Robert Wishart

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the 1st round seal of Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow, dating from around 1315.

The seal depicts the bishop holding a crozier and raising his hand in blessing. On either side are busts of saints, below which are a bird and a fish with a ring. The inscription 'S' ROBERTI DEI GRATIA EPI GLASGUENSIS' translates as 'Seal of Robert by the grace of God, Bishop of Glasgow.' The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

St Kentigern (also known as St Mungo) built the first church in Glasgow in the 6th century. According to legend, St Kentigern miraculously saved an unfaithful queen from the anger of her royal husband. The fish and bird are both features of this story.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-798-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.1999.899
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1315
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: S' ROBERTI DEI GRATIA EPI GLASGUENSIS
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 93 mm L x 56 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Robert Wishart
  Young Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the 4th seal of Robert Wishart, Bishop of Glasgow, c. 1315
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 110, no 13 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 110, no. 13. 
• Translations:
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