A LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY ROCK CRYSTAL TRIPLE SWIVEL SEAL
LIKELY ENGLISH, UNMARKED
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: Silver & Objets de Vertu | Wednesday 4th March at 10am
Description
The rock crystal matrix with three sides, two engraved with armorial and one with complex interlace mirrored monogram within palm leaves, swivel-mounted in a silver arched frame with foliate scrolls and integral suspension loop
Dimensions
4.5cm high, matrix 20mm
Provenance
Matrix a Collection of British Seals, David Morris, seal 55, pages 116 – 177
Footnote
Heraldry
The armorials appear to be for King of London, granted 1597 – 1632 by William Camden the antiquary and historian when he was Clarenceux King of Arms and Windsor family Earls of Plymouth and Aunswell co. Warick, Bradenham Suffolk, Farlam Cumberland and Harnage Grange Slop. While the armorials are clear a marriage of family connect has not been established at this date so the precise owner remains a mystery.
This popular type of seal is often encountered in steel rather than silver, again showing the high quality manufacturer of this piece.