19th Century Wax Seals Etui with Nine Double-Sided Seals

This 19th-century wax seal travel set was used to seal personal letters with hot wax. This set offered ready-to-use seals with several apt, often humorous, mottos that could be selected based on the letter’s content or recipient.

This etui is decorated with an embossed Cupid (the symbol of love) on one side, and a little dog (the symbol of faithfulness) on the other. What makes this etui a bit more rare compared to other etui’s I have sourced is that some elements – the inside of the etui, the inside of the stamp holder, and the seals themselves – are clad in a silver coloured which creates a two-toned colour effect. 

Inside the etui are nine brass double-sided seals, with one double seal, giving 18 mottoes to use in total, mostly in French. These read: 

•    A dog and column: ‘Le temps Passe l’Amitie Reste’ (time passed, but friendship remains) / ‘Samedi’.

•    A falling leaf: ‘Brisez’ / Two clasped hands: ‘Amitie’ (friendship).  

•    A quill ‘Toujours Sincere’ (always sincere) / A harlequin: ‘Toujours Gai’ (always cheerful).

•    Two racing horses: ‘Lequel?’ (which one?) / ‘Mardi’.

•    A Pelican feeding her young with her blood: ‘Pour les Miens’ (for the children) / A heart: ‘Je me suis pas gai si tu este triste’ (I am not happy when you are sad). 

•    A pocket watch: ‘Calme au Dehors, Agitée au Dedans’ (calm on the outside, moving on the inside) / A withered rose: ‘Fletrie avant le temps’ (withered before its time). 

•    A tiger: ‘Ami Fidele Ennemi Implacable’ (‘Faithful Friend, Relentless Enemy) /

•   A bird flying from its cage: ‘Qui me Neglige, me Perd’ (If you neglect me, I will leave). 

•    ‘Plus de vil que de joie’ (more evil than joy) / The symbol of Love, Hope and Faith. 

•    ‘Vendredi’ / An ivy wrapped around a branch: ‘Il me faut un Appui’ (I need support). 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Size: 62 x 16 x 16 mm. Each seal measures 10 x 8 mm. 

Weight: 23.40 grams

Age: 19th Century, circa 1830s. 

Material: Brass with a partial silver-coloured ‘gilding’. 

Condition: In good antique condition with only minor signs of wear, consistent with its age. All seals are in good condition; some appear to have been barely used, while others show signs of use. The etui was clearly well used by its previous owner, as can be seen by the traces of red sealing wax on the inside drawer and the seal holder. 

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 taxes.