This 19th-century wax seal wheel was used in the 19th Century to close personal letters with hot wax. It offers eight ready-to-use seals with several apt, often humorous, mottos that could be selected depending on the content or receiver of that specific letter. The motto's appear in mirror image, so that they can be read correctly when pressed in wax.
The seals on this specific wheel are a bit different from most that I have seen because many of them have a little pun hidden in them, by combining text and image to spell out a specific meaning.
The seals depict the following:
- The dark glass seal on one side depicts a compass with the words 'keep within', translating to: 'Keep within compass'.
The seven seals on the wheel depict the following: - A bee with the word silence below: 'Be Silent'.
- A dog with the motto: 'Faithful'.
- A man who is carrying the world around him: 'By Honesty'.
- A dove with the motto: Peace.
- A horn of plenty with the motto 'God Gives Us': God Gives Us Plenty'.
- A hand with a heart in its palm and the motto: 'Love Truth'.
- A locomotive and the motto: Quick.
Please note that I have added mirrored images, so you can read the seals.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 35 mm in diameter. Each seal has a diameter of 12 mm.
Weight: 14.67 grams
Age: 19th Century, circa 1840s.
Material: Brass.
Condition: In good antique condition with minor signs of wear, consistent with age.