Thy virtue merits more

The Friends have contributed to Leeds Museum acquiring this unusual gold post medieval seal matrix.

The 17th century seal imprints a heart design that has been pierced by an arrow, with four drops of blood beneath.

It is likely that this was given as a love token as it is inscribed with the romantic sentiment “thy virtue merits more” in a handwritten font- although the curators at Leeds Museum have a different take on it, featured on their blog. They debate that it may in fact have religious significance with reference to the Christian faith.