Substantial Antique Silver and Hardstone Desk Wax Seal - John Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin

A superb early 19th century weighty and substantial hardstone handle, cast silver collar and carnelian matrix with full complement of arms and motto, including those of John Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin (born 1791).

Seal Detail

This is an impressive seal indeed, dating from the early 19th century and substantial in weight and size.  The handle is of hardstone with striations of colour ranging from pale browns to black streaks, faceted and of tapering squared form, to a silver band collar and a most impressive cast and deeply engraved pastoral scene around the whole base comprising a hunting scene with hound chasing wild boar with cherub-like figures in attendance on a background of deep-cut foliate and flora forms.  The base terminates in a rectangular carnelian with rounded corners, very well engraved with a full complement of arms comprising central quartered with twin crest above of wild boar standing on crown and the other of a hand raising aloft a laurel branch.  Below the armorial is a motto reading:

SHANAT A BOO

[sometimes seen as SHANNET or SHANID - the war-cry and motto of the Earls of Desmond and Knights of Glin was "Shanid Abu" (or "Shanid Aboo"), meaning "Shanid Forever" in old Irish, since Shanid Castle was the first and oldest Desmond castle.]

This is a particularly fine wax desk seal, made with a hunting scene designed specifically to replicate the boar and flora featuring in the crest of John Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin and owner of Glin Castle.  (The last image above shows the crest featuring on the ceiling of Glin Castle)

Height 122mm (")

Diameter of matrix  19mmx24mm ("x0.")

Weight 178g (oz)