19th Century Wax Seal Holder with Four Changeable Seals

This 19th-century wax seal wheel is not only practical, but also an impressive little artwork to exhibit on one’s desk!

In the early 19th Century, letters were often sealed with hot wax. Most avid letter writers would have their personal seal, with for instance their initials. This wax seal holder can be fitted with four different wax seals, all with appropriate mottoes to choose from. 

Its mechanism is made of ormulu, a gilding technique that was used on bronze as a substitute for gold, which has a purple paste handle. The handle can be fitted with four diffeeent purple paste intaglios, each depicting a different motto. 

These seals depict the following: 

• Two willows, each on a different side of a river bank but with their branches touching: ‘Nous separe le penchant nous unit le destin’ (Our position separates us, destiny unites us).
• A pansy flower: ‘Forget me Not’.
• Cupid climing a ladder, with a heart at the top: ‘Rien sans peine’ (Nothing without effort). 
• The sentence: ‘For further particulars, enquire within’.

All mottos are depicted in mirror image, making them readable when pressed in hot wax: please note that I have flipped the image of the intaglios to make them readable. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Size: 70 x 16 x 14 mm: each seal measures 14 x 16 mm in its setting. 

Weight: 32.80 grams

Age: Early 19th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1830s. 

Condition: In good antique condition with only minor signs of wear, consistent with age. One of the seals has a large chip in the corner and some of the other seals display more moderate signs of wear: this can be seen in the pictures.

Please note that this shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.