Rare antique 19th century French Palais Royal wax seal set with multiple matrices. Dating to the 1820s-1830s Bourbon Restoration Era, Louis XVIII-Charles X period. In the form of a knight's clenched fist on a cylindrical case housing 15 disc shaped brass tiles. Fourteen tiles are double sided intaglio matrices, one disc is a blank. Offering a selection of 28 unique matrices to chose from. They consist of 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, 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 silver wax seal pendants or would like to add a rare find to your wax seal collection. Measures 3" height x 1 1/4" wide x 7/8" deep. The matrix tiles measure 3/4" diameter. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use.
The intaglio matrices include the following:
Tulip: Loin des yeux pres du coeur - Far from the eyes, close to the heart.
Heliotropium: Necessite fait loi - Necessity Has No Laws / Necessity is law.
Campanulas – or bellflowers: Nul plaisir sans peine - No pleasure without pain.
Chamomile: Chose promise chose due - Promise made, promise kept.
Honeysuckle : Dans le doute, abstiens toi - When in doubt, abstain.
Pansy: Il ne faut jurer de rien - You shouldn't swear to anything.
Gentiana: Fais que dois advienne que pourra - Make it happen, come what may.
Lily: Faites bien et laissez dire - Do well and let it be said
Myrtle? La nuit porte conseil - The night brings counsel.
Primrose? Peu et bien - Little and good.
Rose: Vouloir c-est pouvoir - Where there is a will, there a way.
Laurel: Rien pour rien - Nothing for nothing.
Freesia: Qui ne dit mot consent - Silence gives consent.
Orange fruit and blossoms: Tout ou rien - All or nothing.
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.
The intaglio matrices include the following:
Tulip: Loin des yeux pres du coeur - Far from the eyes, close to the heart.
Heliotropium: Necessite fait loi - Necessity Has No Laws / Necessity is law.
Campanulas – or bellflowers: Nul plaisir sans peine - No pleasure without pain.
Chamomile: Chose promise chose due - Promise made, promise kept.
Honeysuckle : Dans le doute, abstiens toi - When in doubt, abstain.
Pansy: Il ne faut jurer de rien - You shouldn't swear to anything.
Gentiana: Fais que dois advienne que pourra - Make it happen, come what may.
Lily: Faites bien et laissez dire - Do well and let it be said
Myrtle? La nuit porte conseil - The night brings counsel.
Primrose? Peu et bien - Little and good.
Rose: Vouloir c-est pouvoir - Where there is a will, there a way.
Laurel: Rien pour rien - Nothing for nothing.
Freesia: Qui ne dit mot consent - Silence gives consent.
Orange fruit and blossoms: Tout ou rien - All or nothing.
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.