Large Wax Seal Of Charles III, Duke Of Lorraine (1545–1608), 16th Century, High Renaissance

Grand Wax Seal of Charles III, Duke of Lorraine (1545–1608), 16th Century, Haute Époque

Rare and remarkable large ducal red wax seal of Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, whose reign lasted from 1545 to 1608.

The impression, measuring an exceptional 10.3 cm in diameter, is preserved in a particularly interesting condition, with a substantial amount of the original wax and its relief decoration still remarkably legible. The reverse bears its counterseal, also in red wax.

The great seal depicts the Duke on horseback, fully armed, holding a sword and displaying a shield bearing the arms of Lorraine. The field is decorated with Crosses of Lorraine, and the composition corresponds to the equestrian great seals used by Charles III during the 16th century.

The legend of the great seal is in Latin:

• S : KAROLI : D G : CALABR : LOTHOR : BAR : Ƶ GVELD . DVCIS : POTIS MO : MAR : PVIE : VADE Ƶ ZVTP : COITIS.*

Expanded as:

• S(igillum) Karoli, D(ei) G(ratia) Calabr(iae), Lothor(ingiae), Bar(ri) et Gueld(riae) ducis, Pontis Montionis marchionis, Provinciae, Vademontis et Zutphaniae comitis.*

In other words, the legend enumerates the principal territorial titles of Charles III: Duke of Calabria, Lorraine, Bar and Guelders; Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson and Provence; Count of Vaudémont and Zutphen.

The fact that the title “Duke of Calabria” appears first in the legend is particularly noteworthy. This title reflects the dynastic claims of the House of Lorraine to the Angevin inheritance.

The counterseal bears the full arms of Lorraine, in a composition characteristic of the sigillography of Charles III, surmounted by an angel holding the coat of arms. The shield displays the arms of the House of Lorraine with its eight quarters. This heraldic composition recalls the dynastic claims of the House of Lorraine, notably through the quarters representing Hungary, Anjou, Jerusalem, Sicily, Anjou-Sicily and Bar, with the arms of Lorraine overall. A seal of Charles III documented as early as 1546 displays precisely this heraldic arrangement.

The seal retains its original pierced parchment tails, providing evidence of its former attachment to an official document.

The iconography and dimensions correspond to the great seals of Charles III of Lorraine recorded in sigillographic corpora, notably the Sigilla database of the Institut de recherche et d'histoire des textes (CNRS).

An identical example of this type is documented for 1588, consisting of a red wax impression with a counterseal and parchment attachments, preserved in the Departmental Archives of Moselle. According to research conducted by the CNRS, this type of seal appears to have been used between 1546 and 1588.

Diameter: 10.3 cm

An object of great rarity, particularly interesting for collectors of sigillography, the history of Lorraine, heraldry, or 16th-century historical documents.

A remarkable piece combining historical, heraldic and documentary significance, with the survival of both the original parchment tails and counterseal constituting an exceptional feature.

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Register Reference: A221

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