Matrix of the seal of the Basle Charterhouse

Description

The Carthusian order founded in 1084 by St Bruno combined a strict solitary life with monastic community. This is reflected in the layout of all Carthusian monasteries: the monks' cells consist of tiny individual houses with a garden, but the church, the cells and the few communal areas are linked. The St. Margarethental Charterhouse in Kleinbasel provided accommodation for 16 monks. It had been founded in 1401 by a rich guild chief warden, Jakob Zibol, and though it continually received further endowments was always in financial difficulties. During the long tenure (1459-80) of Prior Arnold von Alfeld there was some consolidation. He was also responsible for promoting the cult of St Margaret in the monastery. The charterhouse celebrated the feast of its patron saint, St Margaret of Antioch, on 15 July. The vesica shaped monastery seal shows St Margaret with a crosier, palm branch and dragon beneath a canopy with slim pillars and small Gothic turrets. The saint reputedly overpowered a dragon by making the sign of the cross. A separate field in the lower point of the seal shows a kneeling monk at prayer, no doubt St Bruno.