Robertsbridge seal matrix

Medieval

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

13th-14th Century

This matrix is the counterseal of the Abbot of Robertsbridge, head of a rich Cistercian monastery founded in Sussex in 1174. Its loss in Norfolk has yet to be explained, although other non-local seals have been found before in the county. Norwich has a nationally significant seal matrix collection. Seals attributable to any monastery or monastic inmate are exceptionally rare. This matrix is also important as a representative example of the type of seal design chosen by a Cistercian, a monastic order known for their emphasis on austerity in artistic decoration. This work was acquired with the support of the Art Fund with the assistance of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

• Medium: copper-alloy
• Dimensions: 4 x 2cm
• Art Fund Grant: £750 ( Total: £850)
• ArtFunded in: 2008
• Vendor: Mr Butler and Mr Warnes

Provenance

Found by a metal detectorist in west Norfolk in February 2008.

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