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 Chapter of Dunkeld Cathedral in Perthshire, dating from the 13th century.

The seal depicts a reliquary shaped like a cathedral. On either side are angels kneeling on shields with the Royal Arms of Scotland. At the bottom are clergymen raising their hands in veneration towards the relics. The inscription '+ SIGILL' : COMMVNE : CAPITVLI : ECCLESIE : DVNKELDENSIS' identifies the chapter. 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: 000-180-001-800-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.1999.929
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 13th century
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: + SIGILL' : COMMVNE : CAPITVLI : ECCLESIE : DVNKELDENSIS
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 78 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Young Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Perthshire, Dunkeld
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the 2nd seal of the Chapter of Dunkeld, 13th century
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 145, no 198 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 145, no. 198. 
• Translations:
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