18th and later Art Nouveau Heavy Brass Marian + Ship Desk Seal

Seal Detail

An unusual and very interesting brass desk seal, the handle of slender tendering form with floral engraving on either side, with a large and heavy circular brass block matrix, deeply engraved with a central cartouche pastoral scene of a three-masted sailing ship, at anchor in a bay, the base engraved with crossed ears of wheat.  The ship lies under the protective image of Mary and Child, in turn under a royal coronet. 

It is an unusual depiction and not one that I have come across before. It is likely to represent the safety of a ship whilst at sea but the origins are not clear.  Neither is that later handle which has been attached but would appear to be disproportionately small for the matrix. The style of the ship would suggest pre-1700 and the general look for the seal would suggest a much earlier matrix than the handle. Whatever the reason, it is nevertheless a fascinating seal and is presented in excellent condition.

Seal Specification

Height: 75mm

Diameter of matrix: 40 mm 

Weight 148g