Art & Antiques: Knights Templar Seals from the Galaskewicz Collection
by Dr. Lori Verderame
In contemporary literature, the Order of the Knights Templar was the focus of novels by Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code), Umberto Ecco (Foucault’s Pendulum), Ken Follett (The Pillars of the Earth), among others. Today, media has attracted millions of fans to the study of all things Knights Templar. History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island starring brothers Rick and Marty Lagina is widely popular. I lend my expertise as an art historian/artifacts appraiser to the long-running hit show as the storyline follows the longest running treasure hunt in history and the actions of the Knights Templar in Canada and beyond.
The Order of the Knights Templar was established after the First Crusade, circa 1119. It was a secret religious order with military associations. Their role was to protect traveling pilgrims as they paid homage to Jesus Christ and saints at various pilgrimage sites worldwide. Known for protecting Christianity’s treasures (i.e., Ark of the Covenant, Holy Grail, and True Cross), the Order declined in the late 1200s when the Holy Land fell to the Muslims. In 1307, Pope Clement V reacted to rumors about the Order’s vast wealth and ordered all European monarchs to seize Templar assets and arrest its members. Five years later, King Philip of France who owed sizable debts to the Knights Templar convinced Pope Clement to dissolve the Order altogether.
Today, authentic Knights Templar objects from the medieval era are coveted by collectors. Seals, which highlight some of the most popular collectibles of Knights Templar folklore, were used to authenticate documents in medieval times. The seals themselves have been uncovered by archaeologists and enthusiasts alike. Wax imprints of images found on seals were used on official documents. Seals prevented forgeries in a society that was largely illiterate. Dignitaries, including members of the Knights Templar, used seals as both legal and spiritual items. A major collection of impressive Knights Templar artifacts including many seals dating from the 11th to 14th centuries reside in the Galaskewicz collection and are pictured here.
[gallery columns="4" size="medium" ids="401204,401205,401206,401207"]
The most famous Knights Templar seal shows two knights sharing one horse, projecting the knights as both monk and solider. The seal carries the Latin phrase “Militvm Sigillvm” (Seal of the Soldiers) on the obverse and an image of a temple with “Christi de Templo” (Christ of the Temple) on the reverse. Interpretations of the seal suggest that the two knights are possibly Hugues de Payens, the Grand Master of the Templars, and Godfrey de Saint Omer. The imagery on the seal points to the vow of poverty taken by the members of the Knights Templar Order; they could only afford one horse for two knights. Some say that the first rider is a famous knight, and the second rider is Jesus Christ accompanying the first.
Other Knights Templar seals in the Galaskewicz Collection feature imagery including depictions of the Lamb of God, Temple of Solomon, Templar cross, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (built atop Apostle St. James’ tomb), Holy Sepulchre, Marian imagery from the cult of the Mother of Christ, and XP pictographs on military shields. These were recognizable images of the Knights Templar Order and were widely used.
Over time, the Knights Templar seals evolved, reflecting changes to the Order. For instance, early 12th century seals were simple, featuring a Templar cross. In the 13th century, seal designs were more complex and incorporated Christological imagery to remind knights and their associates of their role. By the 14th century, seals were made for specific individuals with names, ranks, locations, and marked identities.
Throughout Europe and the Middle East, the Knights Templar seals have been discovered in various locations such as Toledo, Spain; Carcassonne, France; and Jerusalem, Israel to name a few. Recently, many have been actively uncovered, traded, and collected by Knights Templar enthusiasts the world over. Their symbolism offers a window into the medieval world and highlights the actions of the protectors of Christianity’s pilgrims of the Middle Ages.
Photo Credit: The Galaskewicz Collection
Dr. Lori Verderame, Ph.D. appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, appears on Netflix and History channel, presents antique appraisal events nationwide, and hosts YouTube.com/DrLoriV channel with 70 million views. Dr. Lori’s published research on Knights Templar artifacts is forthcoming. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.
Share this Entry
Business directory
Our Community Partners
by Dr. Lori Verderame
In contemporary literature, the Order of the Knights Templar was the focus of novels by Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code), Umberto Ecco (Foucault’s Pendulum), Ken Follett (The Pillars of the Earth), among others. Today, media has attracted millions of fans to the study of all things Knights Templar. History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island starring brothers Rick and Marty Lagina is widely popular. I lend my expertise as an art historian/artifacts appraiser to the long-running hit show as the storyline follows the longest running treasure hunt in history and the actions of the Knights Templar in Canada and beyond.
The Order of the Knights Templar was established after the First Crusade, circa 1119. It was a secret religious order with military associations. Their role was to protect traveling pilgrims as they paid homage to Jesus Christ and saints at various pilgrimage sites worldwide. Known for protecting Christianity’s treasures (i.e., Ark of the Covenant, Holy Grail, and True Cross), the Order declined in the late 1200s when the Holy Land fell to the Muslims. In 1307, Pope Clement V reacted to rumors about the Order’s vast wealth and ordered all European monarchs to seize Templar assets and arrest its members. Five years later, King Philip of France who owed sizable debts to the Knights Templar convinced Pope Clement to dissolve the Order altogether.
Today, authentic Knights Templar objects from the medieval era are coveted by collectors. Seals, which highlight some of the most popular collectibles of Knights Templar folklore, were used to authenticate documents in medieval times. The seals themselves have been uncovered by archaeologists and enthusiasts alike. Wax imprints of images found on seals were used on official documents. Seals prevented forgeries in a society that was largely illiterate. Dignitaries, including members of the Knights Templar, used seals as both legal and spiritual items. A major collection of impressive Knights Templar artifacts including many seals dating from the 11th to 14th centuries reside in the Galaskewicz collection and are pictured here.
[gallery columns="4" size="medium" ids="401204,401205,401206,401207"]
The most famous Knights Templar seal shows two knights sharing one horse, projecting the knights as both monk and solider. The seal carries the Latin phrase “Militvm Sigillvm” (Seal of the Soldiers) on the obverse and an image of a temple with “Christi de Templo” (Christ of the Temple) on the reverse. Interpretations of the seal suggest that the two knights are possibly Hugues de Payens, the Grand Master of the Templars, and Godfrey de Saint Omer. The imagery on the seal points to the vow of poverty taken by the members of the Knights Templar Order; they could only afford one horse for two knights. Some say that the first rider is a famous knight, and the second rider is Jesus Christ accompanying the first.
Other Knights Templar seals in the Galaskewicz Collection feature imagery including depictions of the Lamb of God, Temple of Solomon, Templar cross, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (built atop Apostle St. James’ tomb), Holy Sepulchre, Marian imagery from the cult of the Mother of Christ, and XP pictographs on military shields. These were recognizable images of the Knights Templar Order and were widely used.
Over time, the Knights Templar seals evolved, reflecting changes to the Order. For instance, early 12th century seals were simple, featuring a Templar cross. In the 13th century, seal designs were more complex and incorporated Christological imagery to remind knights and their associates of their role. By the 14th century, seals were made for specific individuals with names, ranks, locations, and marked identities.
Throughout Europe and the Middle East, the Knights Templar seals have been discovered in various locations such as Toledo, Spain; Carcassonne, France; and Jerusalem, Israel to name a few. Recently, many have been actively uncovered, traded, and collected by Knights Templar enthusiasts the world over. Their symbolism offers a window into the medieval world and highlights the actions of the protectors of Christianity’s pilgrims of the Middle Ages.
Photo Credit: The Galaskewicz Collection
Dr. Lori Verderame, Ph.D. appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, appears on Netflix and History channel, presents antique appraisal events nationwide, and hosts YouTube.com/DrLoriV channel with 70 million views. Dr. Lori’s published research on Knights Templar artifacts is forthcoming. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.
