Sphragistics
Sphragistics ( Greek σφραγίς sphragis "seal"), the seal science , is one of the historical auxiliary sciences .
Your goal is to know the seal ( Latin sigillum " little picture") and especially the certificate seal. It emerged from the 17th century, primarily through Johann Michael Heineccius , as a subsidiary branch of diplomacy (doctrine of documents). It differentiated itself from this by deviating methodology , which comes close to or is borrowed from heraldry (heraldry) and numismatics (coinage).
The physical nature of the seals is examined, from which conclusions can be drawn about the time when the seal was created or attached. In addition, the art-historical development of seals is interesting, which allows conclusions to be drawn about clothing, weapons and possibly also about the city's history.
Where coats of arms and symbols of rulers are concerned, there are many overlaps with heraldry .
literature
- Ahasver von Brandt : The seal: Sphragistics. In: Ders .: Tool of the Historian. An introduction to the historical auxiliary sciences. (= Kohlhammer-Urban pocket books. Vol. 33). 18th edition. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2012, ISBN 978-3-17-022245-8 , pp. 132-148.
- Otto Posse : Kaisersphragistik. In: The seals of the German kings and emperors. Volume 5 (text part). Dresden 1913, pp. 135–233 on Wikisource : Contents Vol. 5 (Sealing material and stamp, production and attachment, seal image and shape, use, authentication and sealing, forgeries).
- Erich Kittel : Siegel (= library for art and antiques lovers. A manual for collectors and enthusiasts. Volume 11). Klinkhardt & Biermann, Braunschweig 1970.
- Philipp Ernst Spieß: From Reuter seals. Handbook of Sphragistics. 3 volumes, hall 1784.
- Andrea Stieldorf : Seal customer base knowledge . (Hahnsche Historical Auxiliary Sciences) Hanover 2004.
Web links
- Annotated link list of the Virtual Library Historical Auxiliary Sciences
- Introduction, seal typing, seal images by Marie-Luise Heckmann ( Memento from March 25, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
- Seal images from the photo archive of older original documents can be researched via the distributed image archive prometheus