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Auction: 25360 - The 360th Anniversary Sale
Lot: 52

17TH CENTURY GOLD 'PIERCED HEART' SEAL MATRIX FOR THE MARRIAGE OF CHARLES II TO CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA

Gold Seal Matrix, (c.1662), thought to have been struck to celebrate the marriage of King Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, uninscribed, long stem culminating in an openwork handle of flattened trefoil shape, pierced with three small holes, the face depicts a heart pierced by two arrows, with drops of blood beneath, above lies a crown, 17 x 10 x 8mm, 2.92g (PAS: BUC-4AD125 this seal, cf. SWYOR-A48F92, Silver examples: cf. SUSS-8A6B12, BUC-0A3C95, DUR-77ED15, LVPL-9F73EC, NMS-7894E6, BUC-892044; V&A: M.96-1962).
Complete and detailed, in almost untouched condition, a stunning survivor which has seen little to no use, unearthed just two years ago

This finely crafted personal seal matrix would have been used for sealing letters and correspondence. The pierced heart motif has both romantic and religious connotations. The bleeding heart is often associated with the Sacred Heart and divine love, was a popular design on 17th century decorative metalwork such as buttons, rings and cufflinks.

The crowned double heart design is thought to commemorate the 1662 marriage of Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, later symbolising love and fidelity. This seal was possibly a romantic gift, comparable to posy rings of the era. No exact parallel has been identified in museum or database records, though its style and quality suggest a date in the late 17th or early 18th centuries. It may well originate from the same workshop as SWYOR-A48F92, which shares similar imagery and workmanship.



In recent decades, Spink has developed a close and constructive relationship with the metal detecting community, regularly offering objects discovered by detectorists through its auctions. We are proud to work in accordance with the Treasure Act and in collaboration with the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Fitzwilliam Museum's Corpus of Early Medieval Coin Finds, ensuring that finds are properly recorded, researched, and presented to collectors with full provenance. This partnership has helped bring many important archaeological discoveries to public attention while supporting responsible detecting practices.



Provenance

Found by a metal detectorist in 2024,

~ Recorded with the British Museum (ref. PAS-BUC-4AD125) ~

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Estimate
£4,000 to £6,000

Starting price
£3000