Stamp piston

As a result of wars waged in the 17th century, Pomeranian towns declined. The population decreased drastically and the dropping demand for craft products led to the reduction of the number of active craftsmen and forced the association of craftsmen working in related professions in one guild. This is what the carpenters and wheelwrights did – they established a single guild due to the similarity of their work. Although there were organisations made up exclusively of wheel manufacturers, there were no independent coach builders. The seal of the guild of carpenters and wheelwrights from Świdwin, made in 1773 is a typical example of a guild seal of such a corporation. The centre features an image of a coach. Due to the fact that wood was the primary material used for wheels and other parts of the coach, a carpenter's axe was placed below. Although the image of the coach has been rendered with numerous details and the engraver has shown the details, the seal could have been made by an engraver with little skill – this can be seen by the fact that the coach is shifted, as well as in the surrounding inscription. The seal was attached to a turned wooden handle, additionally reinforced with an antler ring.

Mieszko Pawłowski