THE GIBB GOLD, SILVER & TIGER'S EYE DESK SEAL

Seal Detail

A fine and highly detailed gold, silver, tiger's eye and gem-set 20th century armorial desk seal, the handle of rounded top form set with an oval cartouche of onyx with a central floral motif depicted by precious stones and outer gold rim set with stones and engraved floral work, the underside mount of ovalised silver, tapering oval stem of tightly fluted tigers-eye with lower collar band of silver and gold, to a base cushion mount of silver with floral decoration and gold metal circular matrix, engraved with full achievement of arms for the family Gibbs.  The seal is accompanied with its original brown padded suede case with inner ivory coloured suede.

This seal is a particularly well-made mid-20th century precious metal and hardstone desk sel for the family Gibbs. The seal came into the Matrix Collection together with copies of the 2010 Bee Gees album, "Mythology" together with a story of how the seal was purportedly linked to the promotion of that album by Barry Gibb.  Whilst there is no provenance to support this story, the seal was purchased because of its fascinating and unusual quality of its production.  The seal was undoubtedly a special commission, given the exuberant use of materials used and is very much of the style of that period.  Of particular interest is the use of the silver band that turns the top section from circular to oval tigers-eye by the careful shaping of both sides of the silver. Such a unique style that in one way looks awkward but in another is pure genius.   The seal matrix has been hand-engraved, so it appears, to a lesser standard than that of the handle and it is curious that the name GIBB is inscribed surmounting the crest. This is normally not evident with an achievement of arms but the motto at the base is. One assumption could be that the album cover shows an armorial with the name GIBB above the crest and if this seal was used as a promotional or personal commission at that time, it would be logical for the two to match. Another point of interest is the original case which is a plain rectangular brown padded suede or faux-suede and the inside an ivory coloured suede or faux-suede.  What is somewhat incongruous is that the case is somewhat bland and underwhelming where the seal is not. There is no name of engraver to boot. 

However, the conjecture is there and the seal is a mystery and will probably remain so for some time to come.  What is without doubt is the attraction that it offers if merely for its exuberant style and as a wonderful piece of mid-twentieth century seal-work.

Seal Specification

Height:  65mm

Diameter of matrix:  30mm 

Weight:  93g