(This Page is Under Construction)
Eventually it will be devoted to
the various seals of the Cathedral Church of Paris.

 

Several different seals survive from the charters issued by the
Chapter of the Cathedral of Paris.
Here is an example of the third known type:


(click on the image for a slightly larger one)

The damaged inscription reads:
CONGREGATIO S[AN]C[T]E [MARIE P]ARISIENSIS

The nimbed Queen of Heaven wears a narrow crown sporting fleurs-de-lys
at the cardinal points and is seated on a molded (stone?) bench (altar?).

Her flowing mantel is clasped at the center of her chest
by a large quatrefoil broach. Her right hand is resting near her belted stomach,
holding a long staff which extends from below her knees to her shoulder,
topped with, perhaps, a fleur-de-lys. Her left hand is raised
in a two-finger(?) blessing(?). Her feet may be resting on a basilisque(?).

From a charter delivered in January, 1259, noting an agreement
between the cathedral chapter and the Abbey of St Victor, Paris;
but the seal itself is said to date from as early as 1222,
as is perhaps indicated by the figure style.


[Original: Archives nationales, D7254. H: 70mm.]
(Cf., Douët-d'Arcq, L. Collection de sceaux. Paris, 1863-1868.)

 

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