18thC Dutch Steel & Silver Personal Armorial Desk Seal - Johann Matthias Lodel

Seal Detail

A fine 18th century steel and silver Bavarian desk seal, the tall steel handle of rounded top form, tapering stem to a circular mount (with positioning star engraved) and silver matrix, well engraved with a central armorial comprising shield below a helm and crest of male in period dress holding an axe in one hand and rose in the other, mantling and ribboned inscription reading:

IOHANN MATTHIAS LODEL

A seal of Johann Lodel, a titled Dutchman from Reunhelt.  Johann Lodel was a soldier and records show that he left for Asia on the ship Batavia in June 1784, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope 21st September 1784 and departed again on 15th October 1784 and arrived at his destination on the 27th December of that year (209 days after departing Netherlands). His last recorded entry was on 30 June 1800 from when no further record exists. 

Seal Specification

Height:  95mm

Diameter of matrix:  32mm 

Weight:  234g