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CLOTH SEAL
Unique ID: KENT-58EA41
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete lead-alloy cloth or bag seal of the Post-Medieval period, dating from c. AD 1600 - c. AD 1700.
Description: The object represents one half of a bag seal bearing bears the image of a female angel, who stands facing forwards and has spread wings in relief. The design is contained in a raised border around the edge. The seal is fairly heavily warped and worn with much of the edge folded down. No legend is visible. The back is undecorated but has the pellet that would have attached it to the other half of the seal. The object is heavily patinated off white colour apart from some damage on the reverse where the silver lead shows through.
Measurements: 21.54mm in diameter, 6.2mm thick and 5.99g in weight.
Description: This seal relates to the 'Gloria in Excelsis' types produced by the London Dyers Company. The date range of these types is uncertain with the known dated examples in the early 1630s, specifically 1632 (BSG.CS.00179), 1633 and 1634 (Egan 1995, 41-43). A 17th century date is therefore suggested.
A variety of these types are illustrated by Geoff Egan (1995, 41-43, Nos.64 & 66, Fig.20 & Nos.67,68 & 69, Fig.21) and on the PAS database @: KENT-B5E3E2, HESH-33CDF1, NMS-381075, SWYOR-F71605, PUBLIC-4726F3, LIN-E99C52, NMS-BD0204, SOM-3733A1, BH-4DC987, NMGW-A3661B, IOW-2AF187, WILT-8E1D82 and DENO-C6F106.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Middle
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight: 5.99 g
Diameter: 21.54 mm
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Decoration style: Figurative
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Kent (County)
District: Folkestone and Hythe (District)
Parish or ward: Lydd (Civil Parish)
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 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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