Louis XVI Frame Adorned With A Collection Of Wax Seals.

A Louis XVI period frame, carved and gilded wood, with moldings characteristic of the period (beaded frieze and heart-shaped motifs), houses a collection of antique wax seals, displayed under antique protective glass. The seals, mostly in red and black wax, are mounted on a wooden panel, itself covered with antique hand-painted wallpaper with a gray and blue marbled design. This type of presentation is typical of a collector's display, created in the spirit of a cabinet of curiosities. The collection comprises approximately thirty seals, including a large number of Masonic seals, along with a few civil and institutional seals. Several impressions can be identified as originating from French Masonic lodges or societies, both Parisian and provincial, by their inscriptions or iconography. Notable examples include seals bearing the names "Les Bienfaisants" (The Benefactors) and "La Parfaite Union" (The Perfect Union), as well as seals from Masonic societies of the Vallée de Paris (Paris Valley) and the provinces. The iconography, particularly rich and consistent, features the traditional symbols of Freemasonry: square and compass, radiant triangle, temple, columns, pelican, serpent, skull (memento mori), as well as various Latin and moral mottos. This collection testifies to the diversity and vitality of the lodges at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. The seals exhibit the natural cracks, fissures, and wear inherent to the wax and their age, without major alteration, maintaining excellent legibility of the motifs. The giltwood frame, strictly from the Louis XVI period, is preserved in its original condition, with its patina and signs of wear consistent with age, attesting to its authenticity. The entire piece is protected by antique glass, ensuring the preservation and stability of this historical composition. Dimensions: Width: 76.5 cm Height: 56 cm Thickness: 6 cm