{"product_id":"set-of-five-shipwreck-recovered-lead-bag-bale-seals","title":"Maritime Trade Relics | Five Shipwreck-Recovered Lead Bag or Bale Seals | 18th–19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegion: England and British maritime trade routes\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Lead with marine encrustation and patina\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: 18th–19th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis group consists of five shipwreck-recovered lead bag or bale seals dating from the 18th or 19th century. These small lead seals were attached to the cords or closures of bags, sacks and commercial bales transported through historic trade networks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe seals were impressed with identifying marks that could relate to a merchant, producer, inspector, place of origin or shipment. Although their circular forms can resemble coins, they were not used as currency. Each example displays substantial marine corrosion and encrustation from prolonged underwater exposure, with traces of the original impressed markings remaining visible beneath the weathered surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreserved together as a group, these seals offer a tangible connection to historic maritime commerce and the enormous quantities of packaged goods once transported along British and international shipping routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Group of five shipwreck-recovered lead bag or bale seals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Originally attached to bags, sacks or bales of commercial goods\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Used to identify, secure or inspect packaged merchandise\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Traces of impressed symbols, lettering or commercial marks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Natural marine patina, corrosion and encrustation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Preserved together as a historic maritime trade group\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLead bag and bale seals were important tools in the administration of historic commerce. Depending on their intended use, their impressed markings could identify the owner, merchant, producer, inspector or place connected with a shipment. They could also help confirm that packaged goods had been inspected or had not been opened during transportation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir recovery from a shipwreck context reflects both the scale of maritime commerce during the 18th and 19th centuries and the dangers associated with transporting valuable goods by sea. These modest objects provide a direct link to the movement, identification and control of merchandise across historic trade routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipwreck condition, with heavy marine corrosion, oxidation, surface encrustation and loss of fine detail caused by prolonged underwater exposure. The original impressed markings are partly obscured, although portions remain visible. The overall forms remain substantially intact and suitable for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLargest seal: 1 inch in diameter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e125–325 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecovered from a shipwreck context. Previously held in a private collection in Brea, California, USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/shipwreck-treasures-maritime-relics\" title=\"Browse additional shipwreck treasures and ocean-recovered finds - Relic and Rarity\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecollection of shipwreck-recovered artifacts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-44302476\" title=\"Who Owns Sunken Treasure? Learn Shipwreck Law \u0026amp; Ownership Rights - BBC\"\u003eWho owns the treasure beneath the waves?\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eLearn more about the laws and ownership questions surrounding shipwreck discoveries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic and Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51339410440514,"sku":null,"price":600.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Set-of-Five-Shipwreck-Recovered-Copper-Coins-0578.heic?v=1786711241","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/set-of-five-shipwreck-recovered-lead-bag-bale-seals","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}