Furtho - Seal Matrix of Bishop Henry Cheyne



Bronze seal matrix of Henry de Leighton,
Bishop of Aberdeen, found at Furtho

The seal, found at Furtho, has been identified as that of Henry Cheyne.
It is in the keeping of the National Museums of Scotland, whose description of it is below:

Seal-Matrix: Henry Cheyne, bishop of Aberdeen (d.1328×29)
OWNER
Henry Cheyne, bishop of Aberdeen (d.1328×29)

MATRIX SHAPE
pointed oval
IMAGE DESCRIPTION (OBVERSE)

Single-sided seal depicting the Assumption of the Virgin, with a full length figure of the Virgin with nimbus, a palm branch in her right hand and a book in her left, within a *vesica-shaped* *wavy* aureole. Four angels on either side support the aureole, and there are two others at the top, each waving a thurible; between them is the Father crowning the Virgin. Background of seven stars, three within and four above the aureole; this is all within an oval panel with five *cusps* on either side and a church-like canopy at the top. Beneath the oval within a *quatrefoil* panel is the bishop with a mitre, kneeling to *sinister*.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION (REVERSE)
LEGEND (OBVERSE)
PRESVLIS : ESTO : PIA : MEMOR : ASCENDENDO : MARIA
LEGEND (REVERSE)
CATALOGUE
EA/Abe/2/1
NOTES

Dimensions: 1 1/16 × 1 7/16 in.(54 mm × 38 mm) Note: all impressions noted are 1292 or later. SCRAN dates it to c.1282. SW I, p.122. Scran ID: 000-180-001-771-C

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES OF SCOTLAND
Queen Street
Edinburgh, 2

14th February 1947

Mr Jones
Furtho Manor

Dear Sir

I have to enclosed an official acknowledgement of your interesting gift to the National Collection. Am I right in understanding that the seal matrix was found last year in a field on your Estate?

As I have myself no knowledge of seals, I am showing it to Dr Marguerite Wood who is an expert on the subject, and shall let you have in due course a copy of anything that may be written regarding it . It is very satisfactory that the matrix should henceforth be preserved in what is certainly its proper home.

With many thanks,

Yours faithfully

Robert B. K. (St....illeg)

Keeper