7/2023: Seal of the Associated Guild of Blacksmiths

Guild seals are precious historical artefacts that give us an insight into the rich heritage and traditions of the craft guild. One eloquent example is the seal of the United Guild of Blacksmiths, which reveals not only the unique elements of heraldry but also the important place that guilds occupied in the past. The seal of the United Guild of Blacksmiths is made of iron and has a handle for comfortable use. The guild emblem is in the centre of the seal, which is divided into four fields. These symbols are a horseshoe, a wheel, two crossed keys and two crossed swords. Above the emblem is the year 1707, which takes us back to the time of the creation of this seal. Around the emblem we find the illegible inscription 'INSIGEL DER SCHMI', which in German means 'Seal of the Blacksmiths' Guild'. The names of the town 'D. STADT EISEN BROD', which refers to the town of Železný Brod as the guild's place of activity.

Guild heraldry represents an important part of heraldry, which deals with the description of the signs and signs of guilds and examines their functions and significance in the context of their operation. As a rule, guild heraldry appeared on the fields of seals, but also appeared on various guild artifacts such as chests, goblets, funerary shields, banners, and more.

In the Czech lands, guilds experienced their peak in the 14th and 15th centuries, when they gained attention even from the lords of vassal cities and towns. Guilds had an important role in society, as they guaranteed the quality of goods for the public and protected the rights and interests of their members. However, over time the influence of the guilds decreased, and in the 19th century some of them were abolished, including this blacksmith's guild.

Guild seals bore the nature of coats of arms and depicted typical products, tools, raw materials and procedures associated with the given craft. The symbolism of the blacksmith's guild seal, with its combination of horseshoe, wheel, keys and swords, refers to the key elements of blacksmithing. The seal of the United Blacksmith Guild represents a window into the past, when guilds played an important role in society and were the bearers of a rich craft heritage.

The museum acquired this object as a gift from the Železný Brod Trade Association in 1934.

The fourth image shows a woodcut of Schmidt from 1568.