Russian Bale Seal, Riga, Image & Found by Len Williams (Fingers).
Found in Carnforth, Lancashire, 19 x 16mm.
Crossed keys with the number 1 between their handles. The reverse is blank.
See Fig.81 p.63, John Sullivan, 'Russian Cloth Seals in Britain Trade, Textiles and Origins', 2012, "Riga seals connected with the flax trade have been recovered in substantial numbers ... but ... have not been properly identified ... Their distinctive characteristic is their motif, derived from the Arms of the town of Riga: ... on the lead seals recovered in Britain, which on one side are usually blank, only ... the Cross Keys and the Cross which stands below the open crown [are shown]. In addition, between the heads of the two keys stands a number indicating the quality of the goods inspected (1, 2 or 3), number 1 being the most frequently recorded." p.48.
From Ged Dodd, "A Crossed Keys flax seal. The Obverse has crossed keys with the Riga + betwen the bits and a 1 first grade flax between the bows of the keys. The reverse is blank .. as normal. See ref IDS 634 on The PeaceHavens Project, Seal Numbers 601 - 700"
