Rare antique 19th century French Palais Royal wax seal set, sceau etui, with multiple matrices. Dating to the 1820s-1830s Bourbon Restoration Era, Louis XVIII-Charles X period. Featuring 21 disc shaped brass matrices, intaglio seal tiles. The seals are double sided, a good offering of 42 different matrices to chose from. They consist of various little images, mottos, phrases, words of wisdom and messages written mostly in French, Italian, English and Spanish. All contained within a brass cylindrical tube shaped etui with ebonized wood knob handle. The handle unscrews to allow for access to the matrices, which are then stamped from the opposite end. It is likely this piece was crafted by the maker La maison Brasseux Ainé, Graveur Brevete Du Roi, located at 33, Palais Royal, Paris. Such examples of these seal etui sets will sometimes include a disc intaglio with a name plate for this maker, widely known for their seal etuis made of silver, brass, bronze and stone. In overall good antique condition. 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 2 1/2" total length, the handle is 1 1/8" diameter, the matrix tiles measure 1/2" diameter.
Including the following matrices:
Butterfly hoovering above a closed rose bud with French words: J'attende / I am waiting.
Envelope with the words in Italian - Sto Bene - I am fine / I am well.
Forget-me-not flower surrounded by the words in Italian: La Sapete Ma Zitto / You know to be quiet; stay silent.
Wreath crown, symbolic of Triumph and Victory, framed by the words in Italian: Per Te Se Fai Bene / For you, if you do well.
Depicting a Harlequin, with the words in French: Toujours Gai / Ever Gay, Always cheerful.
A bird on a perch, with French words: Je ne chante que pour toi / I only sing for you.
An image of a sailing ship on rough seas with the phrase in English: Such is Life. An acceptance of the unpredictable fortunes of existence, take the good with the bad.
A feather quill with English words: Ever Sincere.
A mushroom with the Italian words: Giovane e Maturo / Young but Mature. Symbolizing one who is young but astute; an individual who is wise beyond their years. Mushrooms are a symbol of good fortune & immortality.
A forget-me-not, with the words Forget Me Not.
A funerary urn with the words Bientôt / Soon.
Comet with the words in French: Mon feu suit partout / My fire follows me everywhere
Dove in flight holding an olive branch, with words in French: Faisons La Paix / Let's make peace.
Moth to a candlestick flame, with Italian words: Piacer conduce a morte / Pleasure leads to death.
A rose with the Italians words: Piace ma punge / Pleasing, but stings.
A violet hidden among the foliage, with the words in French: il faut me chercher / I must be sought. Seek and you shall find me. Perhaps this is in reference to the poem 'She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways' by William Wordsworth (1770-1850). The lines: "A violet by a mossy stone / Half hidden from the eye!"
Heart pierced by an arrow, framed by the French words: Il Est Blesse / It is wounded. Representing a broken heart.
Depicting a cherub riding a dog, with words in French: La fidèle me guide / Faithfulness Guides Me.
Hands clasped with the words in English: Forever.
A candle with a burning flame, with French words: Il m'éclaire / It enlightens me.
A bird in a cage, framed by the French words: L'Oubli Me Tue / Forgetfulness Kills Me.
Opposite Side:
Featuring the Eye of Providence (All Seeing Eye of God) with French words: II vous cherche / He's looking for you.
A branch of laurels framed by Italian words: Sempre lo stesso / Always the same.
Featuring a pictorial of a blazing sun rising over mountains with the words in English: I will return.
Cattails blowing in the wind, with the French words: Telle est ma destinée / This is my destiny.
Bon Soir (Good night) above pictorial of a hand holding a candle snuffer, ready to extinguish the flame of the lit candle.
A severed snake with the words: Unite or Die.
A horse in an impressive stance, with the words in English: Stately but Docile.
An orange tree in a planter near a blazing sun, with Italian words: Privo di te morirò / Without you I will die.
A mirror surrounded by the Italian motto: Dico Vero / I speak true.
A rooster with the Italian words: Se mai canta non amo più / I will not sing if I do not love anymore.
A hand coming out of the clouds hold a scale weighing Cupid and a Butterfly, an allegory representing Love Is The Lightest.
An elephant, symbolic of strength and wisdom, with the French words: Je n'espère qu'en moi / I only hope in myself. Meaning, believe in yourself, or I only trust myself to see things through.
A passive lion with Italian words: Qui le ferail lever? / Who will help him rise?
A rose with the words in Spanish: Menos abierta más hermosa / The less open is more beautiful.
A heart with words Ils est à vous / It is yours.
A heart surrounded by forget-me-not flowers, with French words: Ils l'assiègent / They besiege.
A sunflower under a blazing sun, with words in French: Sans toi il meurt / Without you, it dies.
A pot and kettle burning on a hot flame, with the Italian words: Pericolosa società / Dangerous society. A play on the phrase, the pot calling the kettle black.
An image of a snail with the wording 'Always at home'
A watch on a chain with words: Regarding Time.
The image of running gray hound dog with a letter in its mouth, followed by the phrase: Je suis pressé / I am in a hurry. The racing dog acts as courier for an important message.
Including the following matrices:
Butterfly hoovering above a closed rose bud with French words: J'attende / I am waiting.
Envelope with the words in Italian - Sto Bene - I am fine / I am well.
Forget-me-not flower surrounded by the words in Italian: La Sapete Ma Zitto / You know to be quiet; stay silent.
Wreath crown, symbolic of Triumph and Victory, framed by the words in Italian: Per Te Se Fai Bene / For you, if you do well.
Depicting a Harlequin, with the words in French: Toujours Gai / Ever Gay, Always cheerful.
A bird on a perch, with French words: Je ne chante que pour toi / I only sing for you.
An image of a sailing ship on rough seas with the phrase in English: Such is Life. An acceptance of the unpredictable fortunes of existence, take the good with the bad.
A feather quill with English words: Ever Sincere.
A mushroom with the Italian words: Giovane e Maturo / Young but Mature. Symbolizing one who is young but astute; an individual who is wise beyond their years. Mushrooms are a symbol of good fortune & immortality.
A forget-me-not, with the words Forget Me Not.
A funerary urn with the words Bientôt / Soon.
Comet with the words in French: Mon feu suit partout / My fire follows me everywhere
Dove in flight holding an olive branch, with words in French: Faisons La Paix / Let's make peace.
Moth to a candlestick flame, with Italian words: Piacer conduce a morte / Pleasure leads to death.
A rose with the Italians words: Piace ma punge / Pleasing, but stings.
A violet hidden among the foliage, with the words in French: il faut me chercher / I must be sought. Seek and you shall find me. Perhaps this is in reference to the poem 'She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways' by William Wordsworth (1770-1850). The lines: "A violet by a mossy stone / Half hidden from the eye!"
Heart pierced by an arrow, framed by the French words: Il Est Blesse / It is wounded. Representing a broken heart.
Depicting a cherub riding a dog, with words in French: La fidèle me guide / Faithfulness Guides Me.
Hands clasped with the words in English: Forever.
A candle with a burning flame, with French words: Il m'éclaire / It enlightens me.
A bird in a cage, framed by the French words: L'Oubli Me Tue / Forgetfulness Kills Me.
Opposite Side:
Featuring the Eye of Providence (All Seeing Eye of God) with French words: II vous cherche / He's looking for you.
A branch of laurels framed by Italian words: Sempre lo stesso / Always the same.
Featuring a pictorial of a blazing sun rising over mountains with the words in English: I will return.
Cattails blowing in the wind, with the French words: Telle est ma destinée / This is my destiny.
Bon Soir (Good night) above pictorial of a hand holding a candle snuffer, ready to extinguish the flame of the lit candle.
A severed snake with the words: Unite or Die.
A horse in an impressive stance, with the words in English: Stately but Docile.
An orange tree in a planter near a blazing sun, with Italian words: Privo di te morirò / Without you I will die.
A mirror surrounded by the Italian motto: Dico Vero / I speak true.
A rooster with the Italian words: Se mai canta non amo più / I will not sing if I do not love anymore.
A hand coming out of the clouds hold a scale weighing Cupid and a Butterfly, an allegory representing Love Is The Lightest.
An elephant, symbolic of strength and wisdom, with the French words: Je n'espère qu'en moi / I only hope in myself. Meaning, believe in yourself, or I only trust myself to see things through.
A passive lion with Italian words: Qui le ferail lever? / Who will help him rise?
A rose with the words in Spanish: Menos abierta más hermosa / The less open is more beautiful.
A heart with words Ils est à vous / It is yours.
A heart surrounded by forget-me-not flowers, with French words: Ils l'assiègent / They besiege.
A sunflower under a blazing sun, with words in French: Sans toi il meurt / Without you, it dies.
A pot and kettle burning on a hot flame, with the Italian words: Pericolosa società / Dangerous society. A play on the phrase, the pot calling the kettle black.
An image of a snail with the wording 'Always at home'
A watch on a chain with words: Regarding Time.
The image of running gray hound dog with a letter in its mouth, followed by the phrase: Je suis pressé / I am in a hurry. The racing dog acts as courier for an important message.