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Vol. 96 (2001): Our Past

Articles

The seals of the Cistercian monastery in Koronowo

  • Zbigniew Zyglewski
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.2001.96.143-168  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2001-12-30

Abstract

The earliest extant abbatial seal from the Koronowo convent dates back to1285. It shows a human figure seated on a throne, in his right hand a crosier,in his left hand a book. Another seal from the year 1288 is modelled on the most common pictorial representation on ecclesiastical seals, an abbot stand­ing with a crosier in one hand, the other hand raised in the act of benediction.From the 14th century the standing figure of the abbot appeared under a can­opy and his name became part of the inscription; previously only the place, eg. Byszewo, and the function itself (abbot) had been mentioned. From the middle of the 16th century onwards the iconography of the abbatial seals be­came more elaborate, while the workmanship strove for a high standard of precision. The abbot was represented sitting under a richly ornamented can­opy supported by columns, the horizontal bar bearing an invocation to St Ber­nard; the abbot’s own arms appeared under his feet, at the bottom of the field. Seals showing the abbot in the act of adoration of the Virgin Mary made their appearance in the middle of the 17th century. It was in the middle of the fol­lowing century that the abbatial seal changed its shape from pointed to round.The abbot’s arms surmounted by a cardinal’s hat were placed in the middle of the field. From the beginning of the 18th century signet seals seem to have been modelled on the big seals. The oldest conventual seal dates back to 1288and depicts a hand holding a crosier. Between the middle of the 14th and the end of 16th century the convent used a seal with enthroned Virgin and Child.The rim displayed the name Byszewo, but since the middle of the 15th cen­tury it was replaced by Koronowo. Then, in the early 17th century, the con­vent introduced a seal with Virgin and Child, standing and suffused by the light of the sun. By the end of the 17th century a smaller, round seal came into use: it bore the monogram Maria surmounted by a crown.

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