Seal of Jacob van Cosvelde

This seal matrix was found in the River Thames. It belonged to a man called Jacob van Cosvelde (the letters around the edge spell out '+ S IACOB VAN COSVELDE'), who was probably a Flemish merchant who either lived in London or travelled here for trade. Perhaps he lost the seal matrix while getting on or off his ship. The Flemish were renowned for trading in quality textiles and for being skilled weavers. Jacob would have used the seal matrix to stamp his personal seal in melted wax on letters and business documents. Seals were used to authenticate documents like a signature would today.