SEAL

A lead or lead-alloy bag seal of late 19th to early 20th century date.

This artefact weighs 2.87g and has a length of 19.3mm. The object has a sub-rectangular shape with a width of 11.5mm at one end and 10.5mm at the other. The object was probably either cylindrical or had a hollow oval cross-section, which has now been squashed flatter resulting in a uneven oval or straightened out kidney shaped cross-section. This gives the artefact a linear thickness along one edge of 2.6mm and 1.9mm along the opposite edge. The lateral central thickness is 1.6mm.

One surface has been marked with a number '8', presumably by punch stamping. The opposite surface has been stamped with a more detailed design. This design is circular but wider than the width of the artefact so that part of the design disappears. The design does not continue around the curve of the edge indicating that the design was applied after the tube had been formed rather than before. No join line is visible anywhere on the object. The design consists of a forward facing bird, head and beak down vertically across the breast of the bird, with wings outstretched. In front of this adult bird are five small birds, presumed to be juvenile birds waiting to be fed, with their heads and beaks directed towards that of the adult. Probably representing a Pelican in her piety. Around this image is writing. The legend is bordered above .and below by a solid line in relief. The birds and lettering are also shown in relief. The lettering reads [...]. & T.EAR[...]/[...]IMITED[...]/. The base of this lettering is closest to the bird design with the tops of the letters being closest to the edge of the object. Behind the word that may have originally read [L]IMITED more lettering can just be seen, forming a concentric curve close to the transverse edge of the artefact. This lettering seems to be back to back with the 'ED' of IMITED, the tops of both scripts being closest to the outer concentric solid border line. The two letters visible are 'ND' and one wonders whether this might have been part of the word LONDON or ENGLAND.

Further research has revealed the company G&T EARLE LIMITED in Hull. This was a cement company who were taken over by Blue Circle in 1911. The bag seal would seem to come from one of G&T Earle's products so must predate 1912. As the company was based in Hull the 'ND' is unlikely to be part of the word LONDON and therefore is most likely to have been part of the word ENGLAND. See http://www.cementkilns.co.uk/cement_kiln_wilmington.html Many thanks to Mr Crace for his research. It remains uncertain what the 8 stands for however it might possibly relate to the: size, weight, quality of the product or which employee or machine was involved in producing it.

Also see NLM-0BEE19.