A superb antique 19th century French Palais Royal wax seal wheel. Featuring 4 different intaglios all engraved into colorful matrices, believed to be semi-precious stones. Each mounted onto an ornate gilt ormolu spinning wheel set on intricate arm supports. Surmounted onto a thick wheel cut handle is of solid blue-green fancy jasper. Measures 4" total length x 1 1/2" diameter wheel. The matrices are 1/2" x 7/16". Condition: Good to fair antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use. Chip to the tile with the imagery of the devil and cherub. One missing rosette on the side of the ormolu wheel support arm.
The intaglios are as follows:
Chalcedony: Featuring a pictorial of a blazing sun rising over mountains with French motto 'Je Reviendrai' (I'll come back / I will return).
Chrysoprase: Bon Soir (Good night) above pictorial of a hand holding a candle snuffer, ready to extinguish the flame of the lit candle.
Foil backed quartz: A picture of a leaf with the French motto Je Ne Change Qu'en Mourant / I change only in death.
Citrine: Featuring an image of the devil. Complete with horns, a tail and holding a pitch fork, he is depicted carrying away Cupid on his back. Accompanied with the French phrase Le Diable Emporte L’Amour / The Devil with Love, or more popularly To Hell with Love!