Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 108 13 Apr 2023
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German States, Ravensberg (County). Post medieval PB cloth seal. Circa 16th century AD. [...]BURGER•BOMS[...], city gate with three turrets; main entrance in centre with a half-lowered portcullis / Disc with squashed head of the integral rivet with uncertain depiction. For a similar seal of Hamburg see Bagseals Online BSG.CS.01631. 10.54g, 24mm.
Condition as seen.
Lead cloth seals had two parts: one with a hole in the middle and the other with a protruding spike attached by a single connecting strip. These two plates would be folded onto each other, sandwiching the cloth or other item being marked in the middle. To ensure the seal was securely attached to the item, they were stamped together using a matrix, which would have had a reverse image of numerals, letters, or various designs on it. When used to hammer the two plates together, the image from the matrix would be transferred into the lead. These small leaden discs were crimped onto bags or bales of goods but most commonly were attached to textiles. They were often stamped with information, including marks which identified where goods were made, the manufacturer of the goods, the quality of those goods as determined by an inspector, and merchant and tax related information as the goods passed through various ports on its journey to its destination.
Condition as seen.
Lead cloth seals had two parts: one with a hole in the middle and the other with a protruding spike attached by a single connecting strip. These two plates would be folded onto each other, sandwiching the cloth or other item being marked in the middle. To ensure the seal was securely attached to the item, they were stamped together using a matrix, which would have had a reverse image of numerals, letters, or various designs on it. When used to hammer the two plates together, the image from the matrix would be transferred into the lead. These small leaden discs were crimped onto bags or bales of goods but most commonly were attached to textiles. They were often stamped with information, including marks which identified where goods were made, the manufacturer of the goods, the quality of those goods as determined by an inspector, and merchant and tax related information as the goods passed through various ports on its journey to its destination.