Seals have been used for centuries to literally "seal" an envelope with hot wax that is then pressed with a seal such as this one to leave a pattern in the wax which will break if anyone tries to open the envelope therefore preventing tampering, and here is a magnificent Victorian era antique seal with an exquisitely hand carved intaglio on the base.
Dating from the 1870's, the seal was made in rolled gold which was a technique that started during the Industrial Revolution. Made by rolling a sheet of gold over a base metal, this allows for a solid sheet of gold to be clad to the metal which can easily be polished and engraved as opposed to gold plating which is done via electricity and is not as strong or long lasting.
The elegant form of this seal is just wonderful and will look so beautiful hanging from a chain around the neck and always be such a conversation started. Measuring 42.8mm high, the base measures 31.2mm by 26.5mm and is set with a hand carved intaglio in rock crystal. The quality of this intaglio is up there with the best of the best and the amount of time that would have been needed to hand carve this would have been immense. Combine this with the fact that this was all done approximately 140 years ago, and this makes it even more astonishing.
From every angle that you look at it, this is no doubt one of the finest antique seals around, and one that will always be commented on for its style and grace.
Stock# ES8062
Circa: 1870
$Sold.
Out of stock
Victorian era antique seal with an exquisitely hand carved intaglio
A brief history on seals.
For centuries, letters have been closed, hot wax dripped onto the back of the envelope, and a seal pressed into the still warm was leaving an imprint of the seal. This would prevent anyone from opening the seal as once opened, this would break the wax seal.
Often the seals were engraved with an intaglio of a family crest or initials that would further prevent the letter being opened then re-sealed by someone else.
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https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/swivels-amp-seals/
