This 19th-century wax seal travel set was used to seal personal letters with hot wax. This set offered ready-to-use round seals with several apt, often charming and humorous mottos that could be selected based on the letter's content or its recipient.
Inside are fifteen brass double-sided seals, giving thirty French mottoes to use. These are:
• A Fishing Cupid: 'Je M'Attache A Qui Le Merite' ( I attach to the most worthy, or less literally: only the best will do)
A hedgehog: ‘Qui s'y frotte s'y pique’ (Anyone who messes with it gets stung).
• A flower: Jamais Double (never one the same)
A cricket: 'j'attends le printemps' (I long for spring)
• A peacock: ‘Ce qu'il a de plus beau' (the most beautiful)
An anchor: 'Ne desesperons pas' (do not despair)
• A mirror: 'La vérité quand même' (the truth, nonetheless, referring here to being honest to oneself)
A lobster carrying a world globe: C'est Ainsi Qu'il Va (Thus It Goes).
• A deer that has been hit with an arrow: 'Ma douleur cause ma fuite' My pain causes my escape)
The sun: 'Rien sans toi' (Nothing without you).
• A flying cupid: 'que ne peut-il faire' (what can't he do)
A heart: 'C'est la qu'elle puise' (That's where she draws her strength).
• Three intertwined laurel wreaths representing wisdom, learning and bravery: 'L'une ou l'autre ou mourir' (It's one or the other, or die)
A dove holding a laurel branch: 'J'apporte la paix' (I bring peace)
• A theatre mask: 'Levez Le Donc' (Raise it up)
An hourglass: 'La Violence n'y fait rien' (Violence does nothing, or less literally: you can't beat time).
• A phoenix: 'Je souffre seul' (I suffer alone)
An owl on a branch: 'La nuit donne conseil' (the night gives advice).
• A knife: 'Je blesse à cu érir' (I'm hurting my heart)
A heart: 'Je sens quand on me touché' (I feel every touch)
• A snail: 'Toujours chez moi' (Always home)
Cupid and a butterfly on a balance: 'L'amour est encor plus léger' (Love is always lighter).
• A ship in stormy waters 'Telle est la Vie' (Such is life)
A bird outside its cage: 'La liberté me rend Fidèle' (Freedom makes me faithful)
• A chain or rope: 'Elle est Légère' (It is lightweight).
A broken pitcher: 'Tant va la cruche à l'eau' (The pitcher only goes to the well so often, or less literally: Don't Push Your Luck).
• A mirror: 'Je dis la vérité' (I speak the truth)
A shrub: 'Il sont trop verds' (they are too green).
• A bell tower: 'Comment la fixer' (How to fix it)
A rose: 'Elle plait mais elle pique' (She's appealing but she stings).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: The tube measures 5 x 2 cm. Each seal measures 14 mm in diameter.
Weight: 55.40 grams
Age: 19th Century, circa 1830s.
Material: Brass.
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 set is not complete: I suspect a complete set would contain about 25 seals.
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.