Stamp piston

Szczecin was one of the Pomeranian towns, which were granted city rights and privileges at the earliest. According to the assumptions, this happened in 1243, during the reign of Barnim I (ca. 1210–1278). From that moment on, the city became a legal entity. The local government body – the city council – was able to enter into contracts and issue documents on behalf of the entire community. The authenticity of these acts was confirmed with the appropriate seal. The so-called grand seal, which was added to the most important documents, was the most important. It was probably created together with the foundation of the city. The stamp survived to this day. It depicts a ruler sitting on a throne with a sword and a sceptre in his hand, with escutcheons with the images of griffins rampant to his sides. This depiction alludes to Duke Barnim himself. The image of the ruler is surrounded by a structure symbolising a city with fortified walls and towers of city buildings. Particularly intriguing are the dome-shaped roofs, which did not stem form European architecture. Buildings with such roofs possibly refer to Byzantine and Middle-Eastern traditions and represent temples. The dome-crowned building surrounded by columns was also a symbol of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, the main church of the Order of the Knights Templar. It was often placed as the main motif on the seals of its Grand Masters. Perhaps the city seal of Szczecin, like the personal seal of Barnim I, echoed the ruler's fondness for the Knights Templar, which he supported by gifting them profitable estates. The seal stamp originally had a soldered eyelet for stringing a thread. It was made with great attention to detail out of dark bronze.

Mieszko Pawłowski