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CLOTH SEAL
Unique ID: CORN-CB51C1
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Incomplete cast lead cloth seal, possibly a dyer's seal, consisting of two discs of unequal diameter, with one edge of the larger disc partly folded over the front face. There are traces of lettering around the edge of the larger disc and a clear imprint of a textile on the reverse. The remains of the smaller disc, which is 10 mm in diameter, are still attached to the central rivet on the front of the seal. This disc has a partial design consisting of possible ligatured initials or a double Latin cross, which may represent a 'grain tree', within a raised circle.
Egan (1995) illustrates a similar example on p.188, fig.37, no.287 with initials within a heart shaped shield surmounted by the depiction of a "grain tree", the mythical source of red dye, grain or kermes (actually derived from the kermes beetle, which is shaped like a berry).
Egan in Saunders (2001) illustrates a cloth seal with a similar privy mark on page 82, fig.23, no.110, which is dated from the 16th century, and a cloth seal with a pinecone above a vertical stem with a cross bar, forming a similar double cross, on page 84, fig.25. no.143, which is dated from the late 15th to the early 16th century.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1600
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 5 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight: 4.55 g
Diameter: 23 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 30th October 2016 - Sunday 30th October 2016
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: North Dorset (District)
Parish or ward: Pimperne (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST9009
Four figure Latitude: 50.88040445
Four figure longitude: -2.1435126
1:25K map: ST9009
1:10K map: ST90NW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egan, G. | 1994 | Lead cloth seals and related items in the British Museum | London | Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities, British Museum | 188, fig.37 | no.287 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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