Roman — Roman; 43-410
Seal box
A copper alloy seal box; lid only. Bearing the portrait of Emperor Vespasian, ruler of the Roman Empire, AD 69-79.
Originally a cord passed through holes in the sides or base of the seal box. The box was then filled with wax which was stamped with a seal by the sender, or by witnesses to an agreement. These impressions would have been readily identifiable by owners and their correspondents and acted as personal signatures. Opening the document was not possible without the breaking of the seal and therefore acted as a way of ensuring privacy.
- Category:
- Roman
- Object ID:
- 26410
- Object name:
- seal box
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Roman; 43-410
- Material:
copper alloy
- Measurements/duration:
- L 22 mm, W 14 mm, D 7 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.