[Wax Seals] A collection of 19th-20th century wax seals, handles of agate, crystal, mother of pearl, wood, etc.

[Wax Seals]

A collection of 19th-20th century wax seals, handles of agate, crystal, mother of pearl, wood, etc.

A remarkable and beautiful collection of twenty-eight wax seals, a few 18th century or earlier, the majority from the 19th century and a few slightly later, with handles of agate, crystal, mother of pearl, wood, bronze, and other materials, as well as a bone scarab pendant (with seal). H. 2-10 cm. Wear due to age and use. Two glass seals with minor chips, overall in very fine condition. Sold together with a number of wax fragments impressed with the relevant seals from the collection. [NB: the ivory seal pictured in the group is not included in the sale for reasons of recent export/import regulations].

The use of seals can be traced all the way back to the world’s first civilizations, but use of wax seals, however, did not begin until the Middle Ages. At first the exclusive purview of monarchs, bishops, and royal courts, their use gradually became more democratized. (10518)

Ephemera Art & Design