Papal Seal Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.0728
Category
Alternate object names
Papal devotional medal;Bulla;Bullae
Materials
Description
A lead bulla or papal seal from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Papal bullae are seals that verify the authenticity of documents issued by a pope (papal bulls). They are attached to the vellum document by a hemp or silk cord. Typical papal bulls bearing a bulla would be grants, privileges, or personal indulgences. The obverse bears the name of the pope who issued the bull, and the reverse shows the likenesses of St. Peter and St. Paul. The Atocha bulla was issued by Pope Gregory XIII, who headed the Catholic church from 1572-1585. It is 3.9 centimeters in diameter; the cord that attached it, as well as the vellum bull, were deteriorated by the sea long ago.
Dimensions

3.7 x 3.4 x 0.6 cm. (Original measurement was 4.5 cm in diameter.) 46.50 grams.

Exhibition Label
Case Caption (2023): 

A Colonist— Gaspar De Rojas

Gaspar de Rojas had immigrated to Peru with his family as a boy, and lived in Lima, where he had become a prominent merchant. He imported textiles and other manufactured goods from Europe and also traded in leather, wax, and fur. He was the agent responsible for a consignment of 100 silver ingots on the Santa Margarita, and 11 on the Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

De Rojas had risked the transatlantic voyage several times. Records state that in 1616 he returned to Peru from Spain accompanied by his bookkeeper and an enslaved mulatto man. In 1620, he sailed with an enslaved African named Felipe Biafra. Aboard the Santa Margarita, he was traveling with his nephew, don Francisco de Rojas. They both drowned in the shipwreck.
Object Caption (2023): 

Document Seal
Lead (c.1575)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0728

This seal would have been used to verify a document issued by a pope, known as a “papal bull.” Typical papal bulls would define grants, privileges, or personal indulgences.
Previous Case Caption: Removed 2022 Papal Seal Papal seals were used on important communications from the pope and could include blessings and indulgences. Traditionally, they featured the inscription of the issuing pope an images of St. Paul and St, Peter on the opposite side. This lead seal is inscribed with the name of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585) and was issued at least 40 years prior to the voyage of the 1622 Fleet. Perhaps this was a treasured item carried by one of the Augustinian friars aboard the Atocha