Seal Detail

A silver-mounted hardstone desk seal, Thomas DIller, London, 1842, the handle in richly-coloured agate with rounded cap and tapering faceted shaft, the silver calyx collar and rounded cushion engraved with foliage, the rounded rectangular bloodstone matrix engraved with a Portuguese coat of arms comprising crest and shield with Count's coronet and two pendent orders.

The arms are those of Almeida impaling those of Ferreira, of Portugal.  Attached are the badges of two Portuguese orders; on the left, the badge of the Order of Villa-Viçoca and on the right, the badge of the Order of the Tower and Sword. The latter is now an order of the Portuguese republic but the former is still awarded as a Dynastic Order of H.R.H. the Duke of Braganza, (Dom Duarte Pio) as Head of the Royal House of Portugal.

The London smallworker, Thomas Diller, entered his first mark in 1828 and second in 1841 from 1 Richmond Buildings, Dean Street, Soho.  He is recorded at the same address until 1851.

Seal Specification

Height:  100mm

Diameter of matrix:  24mm x 28mm 

Weight: 116 g