Seal matrix of Beatrice d'Este
Auction Closed
July 2, 03:06 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Italian, circa 1300
Seal matrix of Beatrice d'Este
inscribed: BEATR/ICIS : / ESTENSIS : / VSORIS : D/OMINI : GAL/EA [?] : VICE/CO: / ME/DIOLEN(?)
copper alloy
6cm., 2⅜in.
accompanied by a lead impression, and a possibly 17th/18th-century handwritten label inscribed: S. BEATRICIS ESTEN / SIS VSORIS DOMINI GALE / AS [cioe Galaasii] VICECOmitis / MEDIOLANI Sigillo dorato. Nel / mezzo ui è un Aquila che è l'arma della / Sereniss. Casa d'Este, e lateralmente due / Biscioni che è l'Arma Visconti. Beatrice / era filia di Obizzo II. Sig. d'este di Ferrara / Madona etc. Essa naque circa il 1268. / e mori in Milano del 1334 al primo / di settembre e fu sepolta in S. Frances / co nella Cappella maggiore in un / urna di marmo di grande artificio / che al presente piu non esiste / Alla detta chiesa ...io / alcuni Iona / coine
Owen F. Parsons (1911-1986), United Kingdom;
By whom gifted to the present owner in the 1970s.
The d’Este family, one of Italy’s most illustrious noble houses, played a pivotal role in the political and cultural landscape of 14th-century Italy. Originating from the region of Emilia-Romagna, the d’Este were renowned for their patronage of the arts and their influence in the courts of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio. The legend on the perimeter of this seal matrix declares it 'The seal of Beatrice d'Este, wife of Sir Galeazzo, Duke of Milan'. Beatrice d'Este (1268–1334) is now primarily known for Dante Alighieri's allusion to her in Purgatorio, the second canticle of the Divine Comedy, where Dante and Virgil meet Beatrice's first husband Nino Visconti in Ante-Purgatory (Dante Alighieri, Purgatorio, 8.71-81). Beatrice married her second husband Galeazzo I Visconti, named on this seal matrix's legend, in 1300.
This seal matrix is of a rare octagonal shape, its closest contemporary parallel being a Romanian silver seal matrix from Nagybánya (known as Asszonypataka or Neustadt in the Middle Ages). The Nagybánya matrix is dated to the 1360s and features a central motif depicting Saint Stephen atop a hill with two figures below. This is surrounded by an inscription with a very similar beaded border to the present matrix.
The d’Este eagle in the centre of the present matrix finds close parallel to another 14th-century matrix made for Alberto d' Este (1361-1391) housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 743-1904).
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