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CLOTH SEAL
Unique ID: HESH-90A848
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A cast lead alloy cloth seal of post medieval date (1550-1800). The cloth seal is incomplete and broken - almost all detail is lost through corrosion and abrasion. The seal is formed of two discs conjoined by a folded tablike strip. The central spike which would have penetrated the cloth is lost - suggesting that this seal has been deliberately removed before being discarded, The design on the front face is indistinct - possibly being a large A with heavy cross bar and top bar; the reverse face is broken and distorted due to damage. A similar seal has been recorded from Brailles, Warwickshire (WAW-D8456E). In the description it is noted that:
Cloth seals were in use between the 14th and 18th centuries as a form of quality control. Seals from Augsburg, Germany had the letter 'A' on one face, the other face had the Augsburg coat of arms which included a pine cone motif. These seals date to the 16th to 17th centuries and are found across England, accounting for a third of all Continental seals recorded in England (Egan, 1994:106).
Egan, G. 1994, Lead Cloth Seals and Related Items in the British Museum London: British Museum Occasional Paper 93
The cloth seal measures 19.6mm diameter, 22.6mm width, is 3.8mm thick (each disc is 1.4mm) and weighs 5.08 grams
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Width: 22.6 mm
Thickness: 3.8 mm
Weight: 5.08 g
Diameter: 19.6 mm
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Hereford Museum Object Entry Form: HFDMG: 3234
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: County of Herefordshire (Unitary Authority)
District: County of Herefordshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Ross-on-Wye
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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