Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; 14th century
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.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 98.36
- Object name:
- Seal of Jacob van Cosvelde
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; 14th century
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- H 26 mm, W 21 mm, D 10 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.