Description:

Western Europe, ca. 16th century CE. A fascinating brass seal, composed of two sizes of round disc stamps, each with an identical Roman Catholic motif on its face - a cross surmounted by a miter, with an inscription around its border: "PROSPER DE SANCTA CRVCE EPS KISSAMEN NVNT APLIC". The seals are mounted on a satisfyingly-heavy tiered handle. Size: 2" W x 2.55" H (5.1 cm x 6.5 cm)

The following is a historical note by Dr. Antonio Alejandro Piccolo: The latin legend full explication is "Prosper de Sancta Cruce, Episcopus Kissamensis, Nuntius Apostolicus", it means "Prospero di Sancta Croce, Bishop of Kissamos (Crete), Apostolic Nuntius". So this extremely interesting seal belonged to the cardinal Prospero di Sancta Croce (Roma, 1514 - 1589), who led an intense diplomatic career at the Imperial Court of Emperor Ferdinand, Charles V as well as in france and Spain. For the full biography, see http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/prospero-santacroce_%28Dizionario-Biografico%29/

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection

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#147308

  • Condition: Rich patina on surface. Slight bending to form, with light deposits in the lower profile areas. Motifs are very well preserved.

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August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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