Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/306

 :266 EXAMPLES op MEDLEYAL SEALS. size. The impression itself measures 2 inches by 2^, aiid the seal to the edge of the wax 2j inches by 2f. At the deepest part, the wax is above an inch in thickness. The liead is a protile bust turned to the riglit, encircled by a tiara or lillet. and is imjjressed from a bold intaglio cut on a deeply convex sui-face. On the top of the head appears something which at first sight looks like the points of a star, but, in all probability, this arises from a flaw or injury in the original matrix. The whole character and execution of the head is obviously antique, and ]rabillon's first idea that it was an impression from an ancient gem, is, no doubt, correct. Instead, however, of being of Roman art, it represents the features of a Greek sovereign, probably of JSyria or Egypt, and a great similarity may be observed in the treatment of this bust with that displayed on the coins of Sclcucus IV. The mode in which one string of the tiara (omitted by Mabillon) is brought round the top of the shoulder, as on the coins, is particularly remarkable. That an ancient gem, surrounded by an inscri})tion foreign to its design, should have been used by Eudes for a seal, is by no means to be considered singular. It is well known, that the emj)loyment of gems and engraved stones in sealing was practised at an early period, and the instances of the heads of the Indian Bacchus and of Jupiter Serapis, used by Pepin le Bref and Charlemagne, ati'onl examples which cannot be (piestioned.' We may, however, go a step further, and assert with some confidence, that the whole of the seals used )y the Carlovingian monarchs, from re])in le Bref, a.d, 7.j2 — 7G8 to Charles le Simple, a.d. 893 — 929 inclusive, arc antique gems or j)astes, cut in intaglio on a convex surface, and rejjresent protile busts of Greek or Roman princes, instead of being portraits of the sovereigns of France, as stated by Mabillon and his followers. If, in fact, we look at the authentic seals of the Merovingian race, beginning with Thieri-i III., a.j>. G7(' — 91, and ending with Chil]icri<- 11., A.D. 715 — 720," it is impossible not to lie struck with tlio cxccs.sive niilcnoss of fh(! full-raced, loug-ii.-iired heads ' Tlic! Hiinil;ir iM, 1c(1;;im1 to lio n ;;rv llii- I'.i'iii'ilic- iiri.iiiwl, lAiMT HANrrt imuAi.ni ! tiiicH mid !)«• Waillv.