Historic Jamestowne -- Home
Jamestown Rediscovery
Findings Exhibits History Visit Publications Resources Contact Support
Preservation Virginia > Jamestown Rediscovery > Exhibit > Jamestown Fort: Rediscovered > The Things > Personal Items > Lead Cloth Seals

Lead Cloth Seals

Lead Cloth Seals Small leaden seals, known as cloth seals, were crimped onto finished cloth in England by the manufacturer, the merchant, the quality control inspector, and the tax official. These seals tell the archaeologist not only what type of cloth was being used by the colonists, but where it came from. It can also provide a good date for a site because cloth goods were sold soon after they were made. Textiles represented too much money to remain as inventory.

This 6-part cloth seal from Pit 3 bears the Stuart coat-of-arms and the legend "Lenox" referring to the Duke of Lennox who, with the Duke of Richmond, had control of the official inspection of textiles starting in 1605. This cumbersome form of seal was probably only made until about 1610.






Preservation Virginia National Park Service