Georgian gilt seal with a classical intaglio and mystery compartment c1810

This is seal was designed to be used with hot wax for sealing letters.

I have made an impression of this seal using hot wax to show that the seal works as intended and also to give a clearer image of the intaglio.

The wax impression comes in a small plastic case and is included with the seal.

This is a large Georgian gilt metal seal

This has a large round base set with a white glass stone

This stone is carved with an intaglio of the side profile of a young man, very much in the classical style and could well be an intaglio from antiquity bought back from the “Grand Tour” and made into a seal

The seal has a carved base with a strut handle terminating in a large suspension loop.

Above the seal on the base is a screw or slip on piece set with a large amethyst stone. This has a bit of movement and I suspect can be unscrewed or pulled off to remove a cavity. I have not been able to do so.

The seal measures 32mm x 23mm x 18mm and is in 80% mint condition – this seal has lost its gold colour and the stone is a bit scratched but still gives a good wax impression