Rare antique 19th century French Palais Royal wax seal set with multiple matrices. Dating to the 1820s - 1840s, Bourbon Restoration/July Monarch Era. In the form of a church spire topped with a cross finial, decorated with tracery sheathing a cylindrical case housing 19 disc shaped brass tiles double sided with intaglio matrices. They consist of Christian mottos and pictograms and different flowers, the style of these floral motifs coinciding with the botanical plates by the renown painter and botanist Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840). The reverse feature a series of French proverbs.
It is likely this piece was crafted by the maker La maison Brasseux Ainé, Hippolyte Brasseux, Graveur Brevete Du Roi, located at 33, Palais Royal, Paris. This would be a great investment if you're interested in starting up your own business making wax seal jewelry or would like to add a rare find to your wax seal collection.
Measures 2 7/8" height x 1 7/8" wide. The matrix tiles measure 5/8" diameter. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use, there is a gap in the tracery on the handle as shown.
The intaglio matrices include the following:
The intaglio matrices include the following:
Ivy embracing a cross with the words in French: Elle M'Élève Et Me Soutient / It Uplifts And Supports Me. Symbolizing that faith uplifts and supports. Ivy symbolizes fidelity, strong attachment, and everlasting friendship.
Reverse: Péché avoué est pardonne - Confessing a sin is forgiven
An image of a cross framed by the words: La foi fait ma force - Faith is my strength.
Reverse: Pardonnez pour qu'on vous pardonne - Forgive so that you may be forgiven
A winged hourglass about to be cut by a scythe with the words: Il Explique Tout - It explains everything. An image reminding to carpe diem as time is fleeting and often cut short.
Reverse: Souffrir et mourir - To suffer and to die
Polaris, North Star, framed by the words: J'ai confiance en elle - I trust her. The phrase suggests trusting one's guiding principle or a source of direction that is constant and reliable.
Reverse: Faites bien et laissez dire - Do good and let them talk
An image of a priest speaking at the pulpit with the words in French: Écoutons le - Let's listen to him
Reverse: La priére élève l'ame - Prayer elevates the soul
Depicting a descending dove surrounding by a radiant light, the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The words framing this piece reads in French: Ne M'Abandonne Pas - Do not forsake me / Do not abandon me.
Reverse: Travailler et prier - Work and pray
Depicting an offering of charity, a hand from the clouds dropping a coin into a bag with the words in French: Il Faut L'Imiter - We must imitate him / We Must Do The Same.
Reverse: Aide toi le ciel t'aidera - God helps those who help themselves
2x A victorious lamb resting on a book of Revelation sealed with seven seals with the Latin words: Agnus Dei - Lamb of God. Since at least the 6th century, popes blessed wax medallions with the Agnus Dei image during Easter week to give to the newly baptized.
Reverse: Plus deuil que joie - More grief than joy
2x An image of a sailing ship in rough seas with the French caption: Telle est la Vie - Such is Life. An acceptance of the unpredictable fortunes of existence, take the good with the bad.
Reverse: Fides spes - faith hope
Freesia: Qui ne dit mot consent - Silence gives consent.
Heliotropium: Necessite fait loi - Necessity Has No Laws / Necessity is law.
Tulip: Loin des yeux pres du coeur - Far from the eyes, close to the heart.
Pansy: Il ne faut jurer de rien - You shouldn't swear to anything.
Orange fruit and blossoms: Tout ou rien - All or nothing.
2x Gardinia La nuit porte conseil - The night brings counsel.
A little bit about Pierre-Joseph Redouté:
Redouté was fortunate to become an artist who was patronized by the kings of France from Louis XVI to Louis-Philippe. He dominated botanical painting between 1790 - 1830. He began as art tutor to Queen Marie Antoinette, receiving the title of "Draughtsman and Painter to the Queen's Cabinet". He survived the turbulent political upheaval of the French Revolution and Reign of Terror to gain international recognition for his precise renderings of plants. In 1798, the Empress Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, also became his patron and appointed him to paint the flowers of the garden at Malmaison. His works were exhibited in The Louvre and he produced over 2,100 paintings for published plates depicting over 1,800 different species, many of which had never been rendered before. His two famous books were "Les Liliacees" (1802 - 15) with 500 plates of lilies, and "Les Roses" (1817 - 21). His patrons included both of Napoleon's wives – Empress Joséphine and Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma – as well as Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily, wife of Louis Philippe I, the last king of France.