SEAL MATRIX

Lead alloy flat pointed oval or vessica shape seal matrix. The face is finely decorated with a bishop dressed in his vestments that are shown as a long robe with mutable chevron shaped folds running down the front and transverse detailing at the hem and neck. This right arm is held up to shoulder height with the index and middle finger extended.  His left hand grips a crozier which is shown to have a simple curved head and a straight vertical staff. Also trailing from the left hand are two linear groves that are decorated with multiple transverse lines which represent beads.  The facts id defined by a projecting pointed, triangular nose flanked by pellet eyes and a slot for the mouth below.  A triangular miter decorated with latitudinal lines sits atop of his head.  An upwardly facing crescent flank either side of the figure.

Running around the figure is the inscription DAVIT : DEI : GRA : SCI ANDREE ; EPISCOPVS (David, Gods Messenger, Bishop of St Andrews)  

On the reverse is a rearwards projecting tab at one end that sits atop a central rib that runs down the reverse.

This would be the seal of David de Bernham who was the Bishop of St Andrews between 1239-1253. What is most curious about this item is that it is made from lead alloy. St Andrews was the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland in the medieval period and as a result, it would be expected that the seal matrices of the principal bishopric of the country would normally be made from copper alloy or even silver, but not lead.  However, because this item is made of a lead alloy and displays a more simplistic style in its decoration than may be expected, this has led to speculation that this could be a contemporary copy or even a contemporary forgery.

Thank you to Christopher Whittick for help with the inscription.