sigillature

Sigillature, from the Italian sigillatura meaning sealing, refers to the act or result of applying a seal to a document, container, or object in order to attest origin, authority, or integrity. The practice spans many cultures and eras, and its core purpose is to provide authentication and nonrepudiation through a tangible mark that signifies approval or custody by a responsible party.

Historically, seals have been used from ancient times to contemporary administrations. A seal typically relies on a matrix or signet that impresses a design into soft material such as wax or clay, though other media like lead, parchment, or modern tamper‑evident seals have also been employed. Seals were crucial for validating charters, warrants, correspondence, and parcels, conveying authority and restricting unauthorized alteration. The impression could indicate the sender, office, or ownership and often served as a safeguard against tampering.

In modern practice, the concept of sigillature has extended beyond physical impressions to electronic or digital forms. Electronic seals or digital signatures provide authentication and integrity for digital documents, using cryptographic methods rather than a physical mark. These modern seals aim to replicate the assurances of traditional seals in a digital environment, enabling legal effect and verifiable provenance.

Sigillography is the scholarly study of seals, examining their designs, inscriptions, provenance, and the social and legal contexts in which they were used. Related concepts include wax seals, signet rings, seal matrices, and, in contemporary settings, digital signatures and electronic seals.