Wrought Iron Heraldic Seal (seal/marker) - 18th Century

This remarkable seal is made of wrought iron, a particularly unusual material for this type of object in the 18th century, as they were most often made of silver. It consists of a molded circular base, surmounted by an openwork architectural shaft, ending in a handle ring. The seal's surface is finely engraved with a coat of arms, crowned with a noble coronet, and surrounded by rich ornamental decoration composed of scrolls and Baroque elements. The coat of arms is divided into two distinct parts, suggesting a family alliance or a dynastic union. The quality of the engraving testifies to careful workmanship, despite the hardness of the material. The dark patina and traces of light oxidation lend the seal a marked authenticity, indicative of its long history of use. The wrought iron construction makes this matrix particularly rare, both from a material and historical point of view, and makes it an object of great interest to lovers of heraldry, sigillography and ancient decorative arts.