18thC Bronze Armorial Figurine Desk Seal - French Noble Family: Seguin Pazzis

Seal Detail

French desk seal dating to the 18th century, the handle of solid bronze casting in the form of the Greek youth, Antinous, favourite, or lover, of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.  Apparently unmarked with banded stem below to an integral oval brass matrix, well engraved with the arms of the family Seguin Pazzis, with central shield under a coronet, and motto reading:

SERUIRE DEO REGIQUE SUISQUE

The family of Seguins is a surviving family of French nobility , of ancient extraction , originally from Comtat Venaissin . It formed several branches, two of which are surviving: Seguins-Cohorn of Vassieux and Seguins-Pazzis of Aubignan. several branches, two of which are surviving: Seguins-Cohorn of Vassieux and Seguins-Pazzis of Aubignan.

For more information about the extraordinary life of Antinous, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antinous

The seal is in splendid condition, with good age patina and no apparent damage.

Seal Specification

Height 75mm

Diameter of matrix  19mmx21mm 

Weight 218g