A French Bronze and Brass Double Hand-Seal Circa 1600, Circa 1600

with a central bronze baluster handle, each end with a brass matrix, the larger matrix cut with the coat-of-arms of the de Cros family within a shield and foliage scrolls, under a mitre and crozier, the border further cut with the motto 'Ant D Cros Episcopus Et Comes Tricastrin' within a beaded border, the smaller brass matrix oval and cut with the same coat-of-arms, within a shield and foliage and below a bishop's mitre 55mm high, the larger matrix 50mm diameter Provenance: The Matrix Collection. The arms are those of Antoine de Cros, Bishop of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, in the southeastern French region of Drôme. He was appointed to this position in 1599, which is the likely date of the present seal, and was also Count of Tricastrin, the temporal title attached to that bishopric. He died on 24 February 1630 aged circa 65 years

Estimate:£300

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