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Plomby towarowe jako źródło badań historycznych

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Maćkowski T.

Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej

2012

vol. 60

issue 3

395-404

One of the types of artefacts frequently found on excavations (at least in Gdańsk) are cloth seals, which were traditionally called lead seals. Even though they were extremely important and widely used in trade, they are surprisingly underrepresented in historical research. They represent a very interesting source of data for historians of textile industry as well as for specialists in heraldry, sigillography, epigraphy and the role of trade marks in old trading customs. The main function of seals was to mark the quality and provenance of woollen cloth and other textiles. There are examples of sealing linen and leather. Textile industry had a leading role in international trade, therefore lead seals are an interesting source of data on trade relations between the places where they are found and the centres that manufactured or controlled cloth, marking it with their seals. Lead seals are particularly helpful in research on legal customs connected with trade. Mediaeval artefacts marking the quality of goods are a rarity now. Seals are a relatively numerous category of finds giving insight into the legal aspects of old trade customs through the prism of the official marking of product quality and value. Lead seals are only second in numbers to coins as a vast category of artefacts bearing heraldic devices and other identification signs. In comparison to coins, however, seals are much more varied in this respect and thus much more interesting. Two types of signs dominate here: towns’ coats of arms and the marks of manufacturers, quality controllers and merchants. Heraldic devices are often supplemented with inscriptions, monograms and letter combinations. Particularly noteworthy as epigraphic sources are Gothic artefacts. It happens sometimes that a seal is found with a fragment of cloth which survived hidden between the seal’s lobes. Such remains can be an interesting source in studying textile manufacturing, especially if they are interpreted together with the seals, which specify not only the provenance but also the quality of textile. Interesting information can also be found in the negative impressions of textile on its isside of seal lobes. Seals can also be an interesting iconographic source. Pictures impressed on seals are largely varied, ranging from legal marks through everyday scenes, images of saints, weapons and helmets, to tools and ships.

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1 Kwartalnik Historii Kultury Materialnej

1 Maćkowski T.

1 2012

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Plomby towarowe jako źródło badań historycznych