Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A medieval silver vesica matrix seal, the marquise-shaped silver seal bearing the motto ‘SERVOSECRETVMDOMINIMEX’, centrally inset with a 1st c. AD/1st c. BC carnelian seal depicting the bust of Hercules in profile, wearing a laurel headdress and with lion pelt around his shoulders, with pendant mount to the reverse, length 22mm, width 20mm. £4,600-£6,000

This piece has been through the treasure process and been disclaimed by the crown. It is recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, ref: DOR-952C7E.


Historically, the majority of seals have been circular in design, generally comprising a graphic emblem surrounded by a text (the legend) around the perimeter. In the Middle Ages it became customary for the seals of women and of high ranking ecclesiastics to adopt a vesica (marquise) shape. The legend on this seal: ‘Servo secretum dominimex’ translates as ‘I keep secrets’. This, combined with the use of a classical gemstone seal, indicate that this was a sigillum secretum, a special seal used specifically for private correspondence, as opposed to an official seal, which would have typically utilised a heraldic device (relating to the owner).


Martin Henig in his essay ‘The Re-use and Copying of Ancient Intaglios set in Medieval Personal Seals, mainly found in England: An aspect of the Renaissance of the 12th Century’ notes the great discrimination and connoisseurship employed by members of the élite in selecting ancient gems for their secreta.

“In the High Middle Ages, between the 12th and 14th centuries, ancient gems were frequently re-set for use in personal seal-matrices (secreta) in order to serve as signets. The fashion, for the display of jewels in general, including ancient gems, was continuous throughout the Middle Ages, but gem-seal usage reached its height of popularity during the second half of the 12th century. Consequently, it may be seen as one small aspect of what it is still convenient to call the ‘12th century Renaissance’, with its intellectual ferment and enhanced interest in the literature and art of Rome and the Classical world. Gem-set seals thereafter continued to be employed well beyond the end of the century, although, in England at least, not much beyond the earlier 14th century.”

In his introduction to the 2007 exhibition ‘Good Impressions: Image and Authority in Medieval Seals’, James Robinson comments:

“The use of silver for the manufacture of seal-dies was not restricted to royalty. Highly placed nobles were equally likely to use silver as an expression of their status. From the 1140s ancient Greek and Roman intaglios were set into gold or silver surrounds for use as counterseals by the wealthy and well-educated. They signified both taste and learning and presented the additional benefit of not being easy to imitate. The Latin legends that surround them varied from the basic: sigillum secreti (Secret seal) to the instructive: ponite literas istas insigl sillv secrt (Place your letters under a secret seal).”