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Description: | Cast lead or lead alloy bag seal of probable later post medieval date (1600 - 1700 AD). The bag seal is sub-circular in plan. It measures 19.4mm in diameter, is 4.4mm thick and weighs 11.03 grams. Both faces of the bag seal are marked or decorated. The upper face is decorated with a square shield. This shield is subdivided by a vertical cross. In the two upper quarters of the shield is a pattern formed from five annulets (or hollow pellets). These five annulets are evenly spaced in the upper left quarter and overlap each other in the upper right. The lower two quarters are plain. The square shield is partially enclosed by a concentric circle of annulets and pellets. This border is only visible on the upper left hand and lower right hand edge of the face. The reverse (or underside) of the bag seal is inscribed with a series of letters and numbers. This inscription is on two lines and separated by annulets. The inscription reads 12 (annulet) K (annulet) / WL (annulet) T (annulet). The W is formed by 2 Vs which overlap. This inscription is also enclosed within a similar concentric border of annulets (described above). The upper and lower edges of the seal flan both have small irregular indentations. These are likely to be from where the seal was attached by a cord, wire or ribbon to the bag. The bag seal has a die axis of 6. This means that when the shield is upright on one face the inscription appears upside down on the other. The bag seal is a mid yellow grey colour with an even unabraded patina that covers all surfaces. There has been some damage from corrosion on both the upper and lower faces. This is a mid grey white powdery corrosion product and has caused some distortion of the inscription and shield decoration. Images of the bag seal were sent to Geoff Egan (Museum of London) for further identification. In his reply he states that he has seen similar bag seals which have been found in Devon, Gloucester and in Denmark. However, both the seal and the goods it once labeled are unknown. These seals have all been dated (provisionally) to the later Post Medieval period, probably during the 17th Century (G. Egan pers.com.). Thanks are extended to Geoff Egan for his comments and help in the identification of this bag seal
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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