19thC French Brass Justice de Paix HAINAUT

Seal Detail

A fine early 19th century French wood and brass legal desk seal, the handle of organ-stopper form with tapering stem to a brass machine banded collar and circular matrix, well engraved with a central depiction of a lion rampant on ground with a ribboned motto above reading: 

L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Unity is strength)

and an inscription within a lined border, reading:

JUSTICE DE PAIX DU CANTON DE TEMPLEUVE - HAINAULT -

A particularly attractive example of a Justice de Paix desk seal, this one notable for the use of the lion rampant as well as the inclusion of the ribboned motto which is unusual to see. 

Hainault is a modern-day administration division of the Department du Nord, in France.

Seal Specification

Height:  112mm

Diameter of matrix:  34mm 

Weight:  87g