THE DESK SEAL OF LUDWIG BATTHYANI, HUNGARY
Seal Detail
A fine and important steel and silver desk seal for the Batthyani family or Austria/Hungary. The handle of short spigot of squared form to a flared circular steel mount mated to a silver matrix, finely engraved with arms within a shield below a ducal coronet and golden fleece order suspended at base with outer inscription within a pellet border reading:
C.LUD.DE.BATTHYAN.P.IN N. U.R.H.P.L.R.I.C.A.V.E.S.C.R.M.A.I.C.C.C.P.P.P.ET.S.S.C.C.R.L.ET T.S.V.P
The seal of Ludwig Ernst Batthany (1695 to 1765), a member of a high ranking ducal family and one of the first Houses in Hungary. A most impressive seal showing the extent of the titles and areas owned by the Batthany family many of which are represented in the abbreviations on the matrix, perhaps best deciphered by a more knowable expert than myself. However, a few of note include:
- Lord of the Ikevar region
- Lord of Schlaining and Neuhause
- Lord of Eisenburg
- Owner of a Hussars regiment
- Hungarian Chancellor in Vienna
- Bearer of the Golden Fleece
- Superior cupbearer to her Majesty Maria Theresia
- Pallatin of Hungary
Seal Specification
Height: 65mm
Diameter of matrix: 65mm
Weight: 422g