19thC Ebony & Brass Mystery Coded Desk Wax Seal
Seal Detail
A 19th century English desk seal, the ebony handle of inverted baluster form and flat top, tapering to brass collar and circular matrix, deeply engraved with an alternating outer pattern of (what appears to be) moor's heads on spear points and castles, each one with inner engraved letter or number, the inner band comprised of 4 elephants around a central motif. The combined letters and numbers appear to amount to: 51H9S2H9
But, the original and purpose of the seal is still a mystery and all attempts at trying to decipher the code have been fruitless. It was believed to belong to an English friendly and mutual society such as the Oddfellows, but this cannot be verified.
In excellent original condition.
Seal Specification
Height: 102mm
Diameter of matrix: 25mm
Weight: 66g