19THC CONTINENTAL SILVER GILT PASTORAL PANELLED DESK SEAL

Seal Detail

A fine Continental 19th century silver gilt and carnelian armorial desk seal, the handle of sculptural, openwork Rococo revival form, the broad terminal incorporating a heart-shaped cartouche enclosing a finely cast pastoral landscape featuring a watermill.  The handle tapers to a moulded knopped collar above a pierced, scrollwork mount with foliate ornament comprising various pastoral scenes many of which feature an architectural theme, giving the piece a rich modelled, three dimensional appearance.

The rectangular matrix set with a red hardstone with canted corners, engraved with arms comprising a quartered shield surmounted by a Continental baron's coronet. The quarters depict a sailing ship upon horizontal bars, paly, a lion passant upon masonry, and fretty. The arms are probably those of a Germanic or Central European baronial family, although the precise attribution remain, as yet, unidentified. In excellent condition commensurate with its age.

Seal Specification

Height:  85mm

Diameter of matrix:  16mm x 20mm 

Weight:  69g