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Description: | A complete lead cloth seal of post-medieval date. The seal is of the two disc type joined by an integral central strip (now missing) and sealed by compressing a central rivet. The upper surface of the seal is stamped with the image of a crowned rose and the reverse bears the Roman numerals XXV(upside down)II.The metal is a light brownish-white colour and is worn. The seal is 18.5mm in diameter, 2.7mm thick and weighs 3.1g.Crowned rose devises such as this frequently bear the initials of the ruling monarch at their time of issue to either side. While traces of initials to the right of this device can be seen it is not possible to determine its nature.The legend 'XXVIII' may indicate the length of the cloth to which the seal was originally attached, in this case 28 yards, although this remains a uncertain. The numeral V being upside down may represent the low literacy level of the individual who inscribed the seal press.Lead cloth and bale seals were used in Europe to mark cloth for commercial sale between the 13th and the 19th centuries and were part of a system of regulation and quality control. Unlike bale seals cloth seals typically comprise two disc joined by a connecting strip which were folded around each side of a textile and stamped closed. The rivet type of cloth seal were specifically devised for marking commercial textiles (Egan 1994, p.4) and were common from the late 16th century onwards.
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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