BSG.CS.02109 — Cloth Seal, Norwich Weavers' Company Seal, 1654

(N)SBH / CNPPT / WBB / 1654 // NORW / ICH* / 1654

A Norwich Weavers Company cloth seal with the letters in a well known style:- NORW / ICH on one side and the other side shows the surname initial of the 12 wardens of Norwich for that particular year. Unfortunately 1654 is three years before records in the Norwich Mayor's Court Book held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich begin. The set of initials with the date are a useful addition.

See Nos.81-85 Figs.21-22, Egan, Lead Seals and Related Items in the British Museum.

From the finder, "There are four other recorded examples from the same reverse (wardens) die: PAS LON-8565BB LON-935519 BSG.CS.01958 LON-010B1D The obverse die is the same for all except the last example, which shows Norwich Castle, perhaps marking a transition in that year. The first and last PAS examples are erroneously described as Russel Company seals. My example clearly shows an escallop on the reverse and a very small Greek cross after the second P on the obverse. Taking all five examples together we now have the initials of all twelve wardens: NSBH CNPPT WBB"