Finnish Customs, Tullin, Image & Found by William Lavagna.
Found Thames Foreshore, Putney, 16mm.
KEMIN / TULLI // crossed rods of Mercury*
Kemin Tulli is Finnish for Kemi Customs. The town of Kemi is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located very near the city of Tornio and the Swedish border. It was founded in 1869 by a decree of the Russian Emperor Alexander II because of its proximity to a deepwater port.
*From the finder - Tulli Tull Customs, "The rod of Mercury (Hermes in Greek) or the crossed rods with meandering snakes has long been known not only for trade, transport and communication but also as a symbol of customs activity. Mercury was the messenger of the gods and the protector of merchants and sailors. The lone rod of Mercury is called caduceus in Latin. A rod without wings is commonly the symbol of medicine. Either alone or crosswise, the rod symbol appears on the emblems of the customs administrations of several countries.
In Finland, Mercury's rods and Customs have a long historical connection."
