Seal your identity This cloth seal was found in Catford. Stamped
lead seals were widely used in cloth-producing countries in
Europe from the 13th-19th century. This example was made in
Castres near Toulouse in southern France. On one side are the
crowned arms of France and the date 1676. On the other side are
the arms of Castres. Since medieval times Castres has been a
major centre of wool production in France. What was it used for?
Small leaden seals were attached to textiles that were going to
be sold. The seal was stamped with the maker's mark. This
identified who had made it. Then the authorities checked the
cloth to make sure the quality was good enough for the market.
If it passed this test, they then stamped it with their official
mark. Everyday object from the past These small lead seals would
have been a common sight at markets throughout Europe. Groups of
cloth seals found near running water may indicate the presence
of a cloth dyer's establishment. Museum number 95.234