This 19th-century wax seal travel set was used in the 19th Century to close personal letters with hot wax. This set offered ready-to-use seals with several apt, often humorous, mottos that could be selected depending on the content or receiver of that specific letter.
This partially gilded brass case has been decorated with partially enameled decorations depicting birds on each side.
Inside are twelve brass double-sided seals, giving 24 mottos to use in total, mostly in French. These are:
- A coiled snake which is split in two: 'Se Rejoindre ou Mourir' / A heart: 'Il est Blessé'.
- A road: 'En vain le destin nous sépare' / A wolf and cow: 'La Raison du Plus Fort'.
- A mouse and a lion, caught in a net: 'Patience' / A flower and sun: 'Privee de toi Mourir'.
- A tiger: 'Garde a Vous' / A swamp with typha: 'Telle est ma destinée'.
- A dog: 'Reconnaissance' / A portractor: 'Toujours Droit'.
- Cupid riding a dog: 'Fidelity me conduit' / Dendredi.
- An anchor: 'Esperance' / A fox and a rooster in a tree: 'Fin Contre Fin'.
- A running dog: 'Je suis pressée' / A harp: 'pas d'harmonie sans accord'.
- A knight on horseback: 'Paix ou Guerre' / 'Samedi'.
- A horse: 'L’Obstacle m'Encourage' / 'Plus demil que joie'.
- A hot air balloon: 'Bon Voyage' / A swallow: 'Le froid me chasse'.
- A quill: 'Always Sincere' / A wounded deer: 'Pain causes my Flight'
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 78 x 22 x 18 mm. Each seal measures 13 x 11 mm.
Weight: 48 grams
Age: 19th Century, circa 1840s.
Material: Partially enameled brass.
Condition: In antique condition with signs of wear, consistent with its age. The case has several dents, and the enamel has rubbed off in places. Several seals are missing from this set. All present seals are in good condition, some have appear to have been barely used, while others show signs of wear.
Please note that this store 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.