Exceptional Wax Seal In Glass & Solid Silver With Multiple Matrices. England 19th Century

Extremely rare seal with interchangeable matrices.

The handle of the seal is made of purple glass imitating amethyst. It is nicely cut to form geometric patterns of crosspieces, parallel lines and rosettes.

The system for holding the different dies which forms a hinged “cage” is made of silver.
There is no hallmark but it has been acid tested.

The stamp comes with six dies, all composed of a drawing surrounded by a small maxim. A label on the back translates this maxim into English:
. In green glass: “The Farther the Closer” with one bird moving away from another, connected by a knotted rope.
. In purple glass: “The Rightly Guided Friend” with a putto driving a boat. Partial label.
. In black glass: “I could a tale unfold” with a peacock
. In black glass: "The globe is my home" with a globe. Label missing.
. In blue glass, with an unfortunate missing: “I only change by dying” (thanks SD :)) with a leaf
. In double-sided polished steel, made at the request of the owner to stamp his number: a crest of a griffin on one side, the number “TB” (?) on the other.


The seal is in its original box with the lid missing.

Magnificent seal, extremely rare and absolutely charming, both by its system of multiple silver matrices and by the romanticism of the maxims inscribed there.

7.2cm long
1.3 x 1.1 cm approximately for the dies

38.20 g for the stamp alone.

Very good state. A glass matrix with a shard. Missing box cover.



Hand delivery in Paris or sending by insured Colissimo.
France: 15€
Europe: 20€
World: €35