Pečeti židovských obchodníků 18. století dochované ve fondu Velkostatek Mělník
Seals of 18th-Century Jewish Merchants Preserved in the Velkostatek Mělník Fund

Author(s): Hana Legnerová
Subject(s): Jewish studies, Economic history, Ethnohistory, 18th Century
Published by: Židovské Muzeum v Praze
Keywords: Jewish seals; Mělník estate; 18th century; symbols; inscriptions; historical sources;
Summary/Abstract: The document explores 18th-century Jewish seals found in the Mělník estate archives, building on previous research on Jewish seals. It highlights the discovery of 14 seals from 12 sealers between 1703 and 1774, noting their origins from various Bohemian towns. The study examines the seals' designs, including symbols like zodiac signs, animals, and merchant marks, and discusses their legal and social significance. It also addresses the influence of Christian seal designs on Jewish seals and the use of Hebrew and Latin inscriptions. The seals reflect the integration of Jewish merchants into the broader economic and social fabric of the time. The document underscores the importance of these seals as historical sources for understanding Jewish life and identity in 18th-century Bohemia. It also mentions the challenges in interpreting the seals due to their small size and the wear over time. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to uncover more about the Jewish sealing practices and their evolution.

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