Rare antique 19th century French bronze wax seal set. Dating to the 1820s-1830s Bourbon Restoration Era, Louis XVIII-Charles X period, and would have been a treasure from the Palais Royal in Paris. Richly decorated, the case features a profile of the Roman poet Ovidius in an oval cartouche, carried by a cherub figure and topped by a dove holding a floral wreath in it's beak. The sides are flanked by quivers of arrows. Decorated further with stylized scrolling foliage and florals. The top of the handle pulls out to expose a hidden drawer. Containing 19 changeable matrices or wax seal tiles. Each of the tiles is double-sided, giving you a choice of thirty-eight different images and phrases to choose from. A rare find to your wax seal collection or to make wax seal jewelry and pendants using silver clay . In good antique overall condition with general wear commensurate with age and use, a scratch to the top of the handle that exposes the bronze metal below the gilding as shown. The wax seal measures 3 1/8" length.
The matrix tiles measure 7/16" x 1/2" and include the following:
Featuring a warrior's helmet and battle axe with French words Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche / Without Fear or Blame.
With the image of a rider on the back of an elephant, with the caption " La Raison Fait Ma Force" / Reason is my strength.
Depicting a winged cherub riding the back of a Spaniel dog, with the French motto "La Fidelite me conduit" / Forgiveness guides me.
A pictorial of a bird in a nest, a pelican or seagull perhaps, feeding her chicks, with the phrase "Pour les Miens" / For Mine.
A depiction of a cliff side battered by a tempestuous storm with the phrase, Calm au sein des orages / Calm in the midst of the storm. A reminder to stay calm even when life gets rocky.
A field of oat reeds with the words "Telle Est Ma Destinée", translated to "This is My Destiny". The wind chooses the direction in which the oat reeds sway - it's their destiny to sway with the wind.
Depicts hands in the sky, each holding a piece of the tie that binds them together, with the words "Plus Loin Plus Serré" / The Further Apart The Tighter The Bond.
A scene of a setting sun framed by the phrase "Je Reviendrai" / I will return.
Depicting an elk running with an arrow in its back, framed by the words Ma Douleur Cause Ma Fuite / meaning my pain causes my flight or pain makes me flee.
From Aesop's fables, The Fox and the Rooster. Depicting the fox eyeing a rooster in a tree with the words 'Fin Contre Fin' / End Versus End. We all learn how the rooster turns the tables and beats the fox at his own game, his cleverness will not fall for the fox's flattery or lies.
With an image of a bee hive surrounded by the words ‘Nul n'en penetre le secret’ / No one penetrates the secret.
An image of two fighting cockerels surrounded by the French motto 'A Mort' / To Death!
Depicting an image of a severed snake with the motto ‘Se rejoindre ou mourir’ / Will join or die.
The word 'Reconnaissance' / Recognition above an image of a sitting dog.
Depicting a dove with an olive branch, with the words 'J'apporte La Paix' / I bring Peace.
A pictorial from the Aesop fable The Lion and The Mouse, with the word 'Patience'. The fable goes that the mouse accidentally came upon the sleeping lion, and in her fright, she became caught in his paws. She pleaded with the lion to let her go, and she would one day repay him for his kindness. The amused lion released this tiny meal. However, weeks later, the lion was caught in a trap, bound in rope. The mouse, walking by, saw the lion in his sad plight and gnawed the rope, reminding the lion of her promise. The moral of the story is that small kindnesses lead to great deeds, and strong friendships that will reward you in times of need. There is no being so small that they cannot be of great help.
With an image of a pocket watch, surrounded by the phrase ‘Calme au dehors, Agitée au dedans’/ Calm on the outside, Agitated within.
Pictured is a Swallow with the French inscription "Le Froid Me Chasse", "coldness drives me away".
An image of a tree trunk covered in ivy. With the phrase 'Je meurs ou Je m'attache' / 'I cling or I die'. Without the tree, the ivy would die, so the message to the reader is 'without you I cannot survive', or 'I depend on you'. Ivy symbolizes fidelity, strong attachment, and everlasting friendship.
Opposite Side:
Mardi / Tuesday
Jeudi / Thursday
Vendredi / Friday
Dimanche / Sunday
An image of a sail boat 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.
A crouching panther ready to pounce, with the words 'Garde a Vous' / At Attention, or To protect yourself!
An image of clasped hands below the word: Amitié / Friendship. Symbolizing the strong bond between friends.
Depicting a horse surrounded by the words "Fier mais sensible" / High spirited yet sensitive.
An image of a feather with the words 'Toujours Sincère' / Always Sincerely.
The word 'Esperence' / Hopefully, above an anchor.
An image of a fearless eagle soaring into the sun, with the motto 'Je le brave' / I am brave.
Portraying a face, backed by a radiant sun with the phrase 'Je ne recule jamais' / I never back down.
Depicting a heart pierced by an arrow with the phrase 'Il est blessé' / It is wounded, representing a broken heart.
The words "Toujours Droit" / Always Right, with an image of Pythagoras Theorem triangle.
The phrase "L'homme propse, dieu dispose" / Man Proposes, God Disposes. Originating from the Latin phrase, the words instantly bring to mind the famous 1864 oil painting by Edwin Landseer, inspired by the search for the lost Franklin's expedition which disappeared in the Arctic after 1845.
With a scene of a valley in the sun, a lone flower blossoming, with the words "Privée de toi mourir" / Deprived of you, I die.
A mirror with the French motto "Je dis la vertite' / I tell the truth.
'Bon Voyage' with a hot air balloon.
A heart pierced by a feather, with the words "C'est Lla Qu'Elle Puise" meaning "It is from thence it draws.