01.
Massive 19thC English Ebony & Brass Great Yarmouth Town Seal, NORFOLK
Seal Detail
A large English ebonised wood and brass desk seal dating to the 19th century relating to the town of Great Yarmouth. The handle of baluster form with flat top tapering to a brass engine turned banded collar and large circular matrix, simply engraved with the arms of the town of Great Yarmouth, co. Norfolk comprising of three vertically stacked mythical figures of half-fish, half-lion within a double lined border.
Great Yarmouth's coat of arms features a half-lion, half-fish design to commemorate the important (but rather forgotten) English victory in the Battle of Sluys in 1340. The battle took place in Sluys, in Belgium, which was Europe's best harbour at the time. The English victory destroyed the French navy's capabilities for several years.
In heraldry, a lion symbolizes courage, nobility, royalty, strength, and valour. Historically, the lion has been considered the "king of beasts. The fish represents the importance of the Town as a fishing centre.
Seal Specification
Height: 120mm
Diameter of matrix: 45mm
Weight 188g
