The Museum in Braniewo Received a Donation of a Rare Medieval Seal

Poland’s long-established Braniewo Museum recently enriched its collection with the acquisition of a rare 14th-century brass church seal. This well-preserved artifact is now on display in the museum’s main exhibition hall, attracting the attention of visitors.

The seal features a Gothic inscription reading “+ S(igillum) ECC(lesia)E * BRUnSBERGEnSIS” along with an image of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of the Braniewo church, depicted holding a sword and a wheel—symbols of her martyrdom.

Adrian Kłos, co-founder of the Archaeological Emergency Service and a community heritage guardian, donated this medieval artifact to the museum. The regional heritage protection office has been notified about the discovery.

In a statement shared on social media, the museum expressed gratitude to the donor, stating, “We are extremely thankful for this donation and thrilled to receive an exhibit that will likely become one of the most significant artifacts in our museum. It has already been placed in double glass showcases in the main hall dedicated to the history of Braniewo.”

Archaeologist Robert Wyrostkiewicz noted that the seal, made from a copper alloy, is in excellent condition. “We know that the seal was found in a field in Józefowo, near Braniewo. It may have been abandoned, hidden, or lost. Without archaeological context, it is impossible to determine its exact history,” he explained.

The Braniewo Museum has requested Dr. Tomasz Kałuski from the University of Silesia to identify and assess the find. Kałuski remarked, “The seal is particularly interesting because it is rare to find parish or clerical seals from the medieval period. Additionally, this seal belongs to a parish rather than a specific clergyman, which is also uncommon.”

The Braniewo Lovers Society, which has been operating the local museum since September 2016, aims to engage scholars specializing in medieval and later church seals with this valuable artifact. Zbigniew Kędziora, president of the society and director of the Braniewo Museum, stated, “Due to its 14th-century origin, our seal is truly unique. It will certainly be further researched by experts.”

This acquisition not only enriches the museum’s collection but also highlights the importance of preserving and studying historical artifacts for future generations.

PAP

Cover Image: St. Catherine’s seal. Source: Archaeological Emergency