Find Spot record SBC 045 - An antique intaglio

Quarterly meeting, Bury, December 14, 1848. The following presents were announced ... An impression, in sulphur, of a seal in the possession of Mr Bernard Barton of Woodbridge, found a few years since in a field near to the collegiate church of Stoke by Clare by Mr S Tymms. The device is an antique intaglio, a cornelian set in silver, with the legend IESVS : EST : AMOR : MEVS, the setting being apparently work of the C14. The device represents a genius holding in the hand a head, probably a mask, and about to deliver it into the hands of a little faun, which is seen skipping before him. It has been conjectured that this antique had been chosen as a device by one of the deans or members of the church of Stoke, which was dedicated to St John the Baptist, from a supposed assimilation to the scriptural history of the head of St John, by the executioner, to the daughter of Herodias. The legend is of frequent occurence on medieval seals and ornaments and possibly was regarded as a charm. (Archaeological Journal, III, 76). The use of antique seals, with pagan devices, was common. Mr Raine in his life of St Cuthbert, states that the seal "caput sanch oswaldi regis" used by the monks of Durham is an antique head of Jupiter Tonans. An impression, in sulphur, of this seal was also presented by Mr S Tymms (S1).

Formerly recorded as SBC MISC