Roman Lead Seal, Abundance
Roman Lead Seal, Abundance, Image & Found by Vikingson.
Found in Northumberland, 28mmx50mm.
"Goddess Abundance/f/left/with cornucopia/+globe/standing."
The conical /triangular shape and size of the seal above leads to speculation that it may actually be Byzantine and used on damask silk fabrics and clothing presented to foreign dignitaries as a conspicuous export permit. See p.50, Endrei, W. and Egan, G. 1982. The sealing of cloth in Europe, with special reference to the English evidence, Textile History, 13, 47-75, “G. Schlumberger, Sigillographie de l'Empire Byzantin (Paris, 1884) I I. Schlumberger says that these are conical leaden seals which depicts an animal or a human figure, and which have no identifying inscription on the round bases.”
From Rod Blunt, "It doesn’t look like the figure is holding a cornucopia, and the other attribute may not be a globe. The usual attributes of Abundantia are corn-ears and a cornucopia, so the identification as ‘Abundance’ is very questionable."
For other, perhaps more standard Roman lead seals see Ebay examples. and others on this page.
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Full size:
579x453
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