Hugo of Parma, canon of Mortara and prior of Albaro, circa 13th-14th centuries. Seal Matrix (Bronze, 38 mm, 26.69 g, 12 h). ✠ S PRIORIS dЄ ALBARIO Bird with spread wings standing right. Rev. ✠ S MAG VGON PARM' CAN' MORTAR, Holy Lamb standing to the right, head turned back, holding cross and banner. Unpublished and unique. An superb and well-preserved and enigmatic double seal matrix. Light scuff on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.


The congregation of canons regular of the Holy Cross of Mortara originated in the Lombardian city of Mortara at the end of the 11th century. By the 13th century, the order had established a number of dependencies across Northern Italy, one of which was located at the church of Santa Maria del Prato in Albaro, Genua, which had been founded in 1172. The priory mentioned on our seal matrix was evidently connected to this church.