Medieval, Crusaders Era Bronze Franco-Flemish Nobility Heraldic Seal Matrix of the De Pottes Family
13
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14
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Current bid
€ 50
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 250 - € 280
 | €50 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €2 | |
| €1 |
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Medieval bronze seal matrix of the Franco-Flemish De Pottes family, dating to the 15th century, with a circular face bearing a heraldic shield and the inscription S'(Sigillum) PID (Philippe) DE POTTES, diameter about 24.8 mm, in good condition with a partially preserved grip and olive‑green patina.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A Medieval bronze seal matrix relating to the De Pottes family, a powerful Medieval lineage known to have ruled the strategic Franco-Flemish border until the 1400's. Members of the De Pottes family participated in the 1st and 4th Crusade and Baltic Crusades (Battle of Tannenberg).
The circular seal face is finely engraved with a heraldic shield containing crossed tools or implements, with a Fleur-de-Lis above. The coat of arms is surrounded by a beaded border and an inscription: S'(Sigillum) PID (Philippe) DE POTTES.
-> The grip is only partially preserved. In the Middle Ages, it was common for a personal seal matrix to be destroyed or deliberately put out of use after the death of its owner. This was done to prevent the seal from being used fraudulently to authenticate documents. A seal could be decommissioned by breaking off the handle or grip, or by defacing the engraved seal surface itself.
-> The presence of the family name in the inscription makes this seal especially interesting, as it links the object to a named medieval lineage. Seal matrices of this type are valuable historical objects because they combine heraldry, personal identity, and documentary practice in one compact artefact.
The exact branch of the De Pottes family to which this heraldic device may relate has not been specifically researched by us; this could be a subject for further heraldic and genealogical study.
Diameter: ± 24,8 mm
Condition:
Good solid condition with crisp deep engravings and partial grip. The seal design and inscription remain clearly visible. Smooth and dark olive-green patina with minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Medieval seal matrices were used to impress a design into wax, creating a personal or official mark of authentication. They served an important role in legal, commercial, and private documents, especially at a time when written signatures were not yet used in the modern sense.
-> Heraldic seals often displayed a family coat of arms or identifying emblem. Such seals were closely connected to identity, lineage, property, and authority, and could be used by noble families, officials, clergy, merchants, and landowners.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
A Medieval bronze seal matrix relating to the De Pottes family, a powerful Medieval lineage known to have ruled the strategic Franco-Flemish border until the 1400's. Members of the De Pottes family participated in the 1st and 4th Crusade and Baltic Crusades (Battle of Tannenberg).
The circular seal face is finely engraved with a heraldic shield containing crossed tools or implements, with a Fleur-de-Lis above. The coat of arms is surrounded by a beaded border and an inscription: S'(Sigillum) PID (Philippe) DE POTTES.
-> The grip is only partially preserved. In the Middle Ages, it was common for a personal seal matrix to be destroyed or deliberately put out of use after the death of its owner. This was done to prevent the seal from being used fraudulently to authenticate documents. A seal could be decommissioned by breaking off the handle or grip, or by defacing the engraved seal surface itself.
-> The presence of the family name in the inscription makes this seal especially interesting, as it links the object to a named medieval lineage. Seal matrices of this type are valuable historical objects because they combine heraldry, personal identity, and documentary practice in one compact artefact.
The exact branch of the De Pottes family to which this heraldic device may relate has not been specifically researched by us; this could be a subject for further heraldic and genealogical study.
Diameter: ± 24,8 mm
Condition:
Good solid condition with crisp deep engravings and partial grip. The seal design and inscription remain clearly visible. Smooth and dark olive-green patina with minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use. See images.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Medieval seal matrices were used to impress a design into wax, creating a personal or official mark of authentication. They served an important role in legal, commercial, and private documents, especially at a time when written signatures were not yet used in the modern sense.
-> Heraldic seals often displayed a family coat of arms or identifying emblem. Such seals were closely connected to identity, lineage, property, and authority, and could be used by noble families, officials, clergy, merchants, and landowners.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Medieval, Crusaders Era
Century/timeframe
15th century AD
Name of object
Franco-Flemish Nobility Heraldic Seal Matrix of the De Pottes Family
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
