Name/Title
SealEntry/Object ID
L.2011.002.9Description
Thomas Coram (American, 1756-1811)
Engraved seal
Charleston, SC, 1805
Silver
Diam. 2 1/2, D. 1 1/2 inches
Engraved on front: ·Church·SOC·Relief·Clergy·So·Carolina, Incorp·A·D 1789; Engraved on back: arrow through the center, Tho Coram Sc., and 1805
Lent by Circular Congregational Church, through The Charleston Museum, Charleston, SC, IL2001.001
Born in Bristol, England, Thomas Coram immigrated to Charleston in 1769, where he became a well-known landscape artist, master engraver and miniaturist. In 1788, he advertised "Coats of Arms, Cyphers, ornaments, names, devices, &c. on plate, seals, or copper plate for impressions cut in the neatest manner." From his shop, he engraved lockets and bracelets and sold hair jewelry. A master die-sinker, he cut several seals for Charleston's social and philanthropic organizations. Made in 1805 for the Circular Congregational Church of Charleston, this seal depicts the church as it was designed by Robert Mills: a domed center structure with protruding six-column portico and steeple. In reality, the steeple was never completed. The church burned in the fire of 1861-the seal survived the blaze-and what remained of the 1806 structure was destroyed in the earthquake of 1886.Collection
The Charleston Museum C/O: Historic Charleston FoLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
SealNomenclature Sub-Class
Personal IdentificationNomenclature Class
Personal SymbolsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsIntake
Loan In
L.2011.002Lender
Dr. John Brumgardt, DirectorDate Received
Jan 12, 2011Date Returned
Feb 1, 2011Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
January 12, 2011Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
December 7, 2012