|
Date: |
|
Description: | A complete lead alloy Russian bale seal of late post-medieval date. The seal is circular in plan with worn edges and a roughly rectangular cross section. It is comprised of a single disc of metal which is perforated by two holes running parallel across its diameter through which wire or textile ligatures would have fitted in order to secure a bag.One face is stamped with an elaborate crown at its centre while the other bears two lines of raised lettering. All that remains legible of this lettering is: "[--]OE[-]N[-----]//[-]O[-]DKAMMA[--]."KAMMA" may be a reference to the district around the Kama River where the Russians cultivate Wattachianjlax which was introduced by Polish colonists and produces much finer yarn than the common flax. (See: http://peacehavens.co.uk/BSFLAX.htm) The metal is a mid-grey colour and is worn. The seal is 27.6mm in diameter, 6.2mm thick and weighs 22.6g.Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Russia was a prominent exporter of flax plants via St Petersburg, Archangel, Riga, Port Narva, Reval, Pernau, Libnau, Memel. Lead bale seals were used as a means of identification and as a component of regulation and quality control. Russian seals of this type were used as a means to monitor and ensure the quality of flax hemp products from Russia. They were applied individually by a port inspector and gave unique information like the inspector's name, the post where they worked, the name of the port, the initials of the previous grower/owner or agent, the quality and grade of the flax and the date it was graded.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/ | Go to resource |
|
More Like this...
-
SEAL
Cast lead Russian oval hemp…
-
SEAL
A complete lead alloy Russian…
-
SEAL
A lead alloy Russian bale…
-
SEAL
Cast lead Russian oval flax…
-
SEAL
A lead alloy Russian flax…
-
SEAL
Cast lead Russian oval flax…
-
SEAL
A lead Russian bale seal…
-
SEAL
A lead Russian bale seal…
-
SEAL
A lead Russian bale seal…
-
SEAL
Cast lead Russian oval hemp…
|