Signacula were extremely popular across all territories of the Roman Empire, between the 1st and 4th century AD. Signacula were matrix-produced, rectangular-shaped lead or bronze plaques, melt together with a hoop ring to the front for attachment. Rectangular-shaped signacula are the most common, however many different shapes, including hearts, crosses and planta pedis, have been excavated. The reverse would have usually featured letters in relief, either simple initials or onomastic formulas. The majority of bronze signacula seals have been referred to slaves or domestic workers, who would have used such stamps to mark products and different types of stocks. Notably, loafs of bread have been recovered from Pompeii with stamped marks, as a testimony of the use of signacula. Bronze seal tags were also popular among Roman soldiers.
To discover more everyday artefacts from Ancient Rome, please visit our relevant blog post: Everyday Items in the Classical World.