Seal Detail

An impressive hardstone, steel, gold and brass armorial desk seal, the handle of tapering Damascus steel grip from an Ottoman gun barrel, one side with gold inlay décor and gold-lined master's mark. The handle top fitted with a conical knob of lapis lazuli.  The handle stem terminates in a brass collar and oval brass matrix, well and deeply engraved with an achievement of arms comprising a shield under a Count's coronet, mantling, decorative foliage within a beaded border.

The arms are those of Armand Fresneau (1860-1936), who received the hereditary of Count on the 3 July 1831, the likely date of this seal. The gold cartouche on the barrel is either a maker's mark or proof mark but as yet it has not been possible to identify the exact maker. 

Seal Specification

Height:  85mm

Diameter of matrix:  30mm x 35mm 

Weight:  200g