Medieval marks of the bellman of the Czech King and of an Eucharistic guild discovered in Nysa, Silesia

Abstract

The most recent field study in Nysa revealed two previously unknown leather identification marks, namely, the mark of the bellman of the Czech King from the 14th century and the emblem of an Eucharistic guild from the 15th century. The bellman’s name, unknown in written sources, was successfully identified (Veick) and the abbreviation on the guild emblem was deciphered (nar=Nahrung), which allowed the artefact to be linked to the guild of the Body of God operating in Nysa. Both these objects were likely created at an artisan’s workshop in Nysa that was open between the 14th and the 16th century. Owing to the latest discoveries, the number of these intriguing finds in Central Europe rose up to about 50, though a leather artisan workshop has been confirmed only in Nysa.