A superb antique 19th century French Palais Royal wax seal wheel with six intaglios engraved from colorful glass tiles. Each are prong set onto gilt metal spokes on a rotating wheel and ornate mount. Surmounted onto a faceted purple glass handle. In good antique condition, wear/discoloration to the metal commensurate with age and use, some scratches/surface wear to the handle, the tiles with some wear/small edge nicks as shown. The seal wheel measures 3 1/2" length x 1 1/8" width x 7/8" deep. The oval matrices measure 5/8" x 1/2".
The six intaglios include:
Depicting an image of a snail with the wording 'Always at home'
An image of cupid rowing in a boat, with the words in French Il m'a bien guidé / He guided me well.
Pensez a moi / Think of me.
An image of a sealed envelope with the words in French "Une Lettre adoucit les Peines de l'Absence" / A letter soothes the pain of absence.
A sunflower blooming under a blazing sun, with words So I to Thee.
The Eye of Providence (All Seeing Eye of God) with the words: May it watch over you.