Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
Among the most valuable items in my collection is this wax seal case, made entirely of gold and purchased in Paris, France. This is an exquisite example of 18th or early 19th-century European aristocratic craftsmanship. The engraving of the coat of arms is very detailed and finely done. The surface decoration is detailed with fine horizontal engine turning (guilloché) and delicate floral motifs in repoussé or chased relief. The oval medallions and ornamental borders (braided bands and beaded edges) showcase remarkable micro-metalwork skills. The case dates from the late 18th century to early 19th century (c. 1770–1830), straddling Louis XVI to Empire/Restoration. Unfortunately, while the crown is that of a Marquis, I haven’t been able to identify the families represented on this stamp.
About the Masterpieces of this Collection.
The answer lies at the intersection of aesthetic appeal, historical significance, heraldic interest - and ultimately, personal taste. I don’t presume to claim that what I consider a masterpiece holds exceptional value in any absolute sense. While I truly appreciate every single stamp in the collection, this section simply highlights some of my personal favorites. When collecting antique wax seal stamps engraved with coats of arms, what qualifies as a masterpiece depends on one’s collecting priorities. The beauty of the object is, of course, important - but so is its origin. For example, I find the stamp that belonged to Princess Elisabeth Saltikova and her husband, the Count of Modena, especially compelling both aesthetically and historically. Exceptional engraving - with fine hatching, delicate shading, and precise detail - is another reason a stamp may be included here. Rich materials such as gold, silver, vermeil, or intricately turned handles set with precious stones like jade, or adorned with sculpted motifs, can elevate a stamp into this category. Stamps bearing rare arms - for instance, those of a king - are included as well, simply for their rarity and symbolic weight. There are also wonderful and rare stamps in the other parts of the collection. In the end, I believe that it is more my own taste that determines what appears in this section. Instead of "Masterpieces", I could have just as easily called these stamps "Favorites".
This is a wonderful antique Imperial Russian silver and ivory seal stamp belonging to Princess Saltykov and the Duke of Modena. The handle is beautifully carved in the shape of a tower in the Moorish style and screws open. At its base, an orange stone is engraved with the arms of Princess Elisabeth Nikolaevna Saltykov (1772-1852) and her husband, Charles-Louis-Francois-Gabriel de Raimond de Mormoiron, Count of Modena (1774-1833). The House of Saltykov is an old Russian noble family with roots dating back to 1240. In March 1730, the family was granted the title of Count in Russia by Empress Anna. ​The Raimond de Mormoiron family was a noble lineage originating from southern France. They held titles such as Baron of Modène and were active in French political and military affairs from the 16th to the 18th centuries. (Ai)
This is a wonderful 19th-century Russian stamp with a Fabergé mark that I bought at auction. It is one of my favorite acquisitions and certainly has its place my collection of "Masterpieces." I particularly like the Siberian nephrite jade used for the handle, and the elephant design is charming and well-carved.
Fabergé, the renowned Russian jewelry firm, is best known for its lavish decorative pieces, especially the Imperial Easter eggs created for the Russian tsars. While Fabergé produced a variety of luxury items, including jewelry, boxes, and cigarette cases, they also made wax seal stamps. Fabergé stamps are rare and highly sought after, often showcasing the firm's exceptional craftsmanship in metalwork, enameling, and use of precious materials. The design of Fabergé seal stamps typically features elegant handles made from metals or stones, often with intricate details or Fabergé’s signature guilloché enamel. Some of these handles were personalized, making them both functional and artistic. The hallmark of this stamp tells us that is was created in St Petersburg after 1908.
This is a very nice French stamp depicting the "Judgment of Paris," a famous myth from Greek mythology. In the story, Paris, a prince of Troy, is asked to judge a beauty contest among three goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Each offers Paris a tempting bribe to be named the fairest. Paris ultimately chooses Aphrodite, who promises him the love of the most beautiful mortal woman, Helen of Sparta. This decision sets off the events that lead to the Trojan War. The engraving on the stamp is also beautifully done. While I was not able to identify the origin of the alliance coat of arms on this seal stamp, there is nevertheless a family that bears similar arms "Or, three owls sable": The Le Duc de Lillers family. Edmond Le Duc, Marquis of Lillers, was born in 1881 in Paris, which could match the age of the stamp itself. He was the son of Louis-Emmanuel and Solange de La Rochefoucauld, and married Marguerite de Nicolau. But... the left shield does not correspond to the families of these spouses, so we can assume with confidence that the stamp belonged to another family.
This stamp is a remarkable piece that I acquired from Austria. On one side, the coat of arms is engraved, while on the other side there is a monogram. What I find exceptional about the stamp is the combination of different materials. The body is made of ivory, the metal parts look like a combination of gilded bronze and silvered metal. The overall structure is classical in form, reminiscent of Empire or Neoclassical design, popular in early 19th-century Austria and other parts of Europe. The proportions and rich ornamentation suggest this was not an everyday object but rather a unique piece that belonged to a noble couple with significant wealth. Based on design and materials, this seal likely dates from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century (c. 1790–1850). This timeframe aligns with the Austrian Empire period under the Habsburg Monarchy. Unfortunately I have yet to find who the stamp belonged to.
This is a magnificent seal stamp, both artistically and heraldically, associated with the Spanish Onis family. The handle is beautifully fluted in Baroque or Neoclassical style. The seal is made from red stone, likely carnelian or red jasper, traditional used in high-status seal stamps due to its hardness and engraving clarity. The Onís family is a noble lineage from Asturias (northern Spain), with documented ties to Oviedo. Some branches became involved in diplomacy and military affairs. The earliest records of the family date back to the 16th century. Originally, they lived in Torre de Villoria, a historical tower in the province of Cuenca, Spain, but in the mid-17th century, they moved to Salamanca. The family motto, "Si Sit Prudentia," translates from Latin to "If there is prudence".
This is a beautiful woman’s bust, serving as the handle of a wax seal stamp, engraved with the coat of arms of a noblewoman. In heraldry, the shape of the shield holds significance. The oval (or sometimes lozenge) shape is traditionally associated with non-combatants or women. While there is no crown on this coat of arms, the combination of the helmet and hat suggests that the lady who owned this stamp was married to a Baron of the Napoleonic Empire.
This is the wax seal stamp of my family, marking the beginning of my collection. It was a gift from my father and remains one of the most meaningful presents I’ve ever received. Our family’s coat of arms features eagles, a symbol in heraldry often depicted with outstretched wings, representing strength, courage, and nobility. The eagle is also associated with power, authority, and even royalty.
Our family motto is "Courageous and Loyal" (Preux et Loyal). Each wax seal stamp carries the history of a family, sometimes tracing its origins as far back as the 11th century. You can learn more about my family by following the links below. (Ai)
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This antique wax seal stamp has joined my "Masterpieces Collection" because I find the handle very nicely carved. It probably belonged to the extinct Belgian family de Pré who received their letter of nobility from Emperor Charles VI in 1734.
This "Norman Soldier" stamp is truly special. It displays the arms of the English family Corbet of Moreton Corbet. The name Corbet comes from the Anglo-Norman word corb, meaning "crow." The senior line of the family, Corbet of Moreton Corbet, features an elephant in their coat of arms: an Or shield charged with a raven, and a crest with an elephant carrying a triple-towered castle on its back. In the 1560s, Sir Andrew Corbet was the owner of Moreton Corbet Castle, which is now in ruins. However, you can still see a panel above the gatehouse with the initials "SAC" (for Sir Andrew Corbet) and the family emblem of the elephant, along with the date 1579 when the panel was erected. (Ai)
A beautiful seal presented with its original leather fitted case, with the alliance coat of arms of the Scottish Robertson of Kindeace and Wilson families. The Robertsons of Kindeace are a cadet branch of the Clan Robertson. The Robertson of Struan was the senior branch, while the Robertson of Lude was the principal cadet branch. The other branches were Robertson of Auchleeks, of Faskally, of Inches, of Kinlochmouidart, and of Kindeace. The Robertson family is said to be one of the oldest in Scotland, claiming descent from Crinan, the Laird of Atholl and hereditary lay Abbott of Dunkeld who married Bethoc, the daughter of Malcolm II. Their son became Duncan I, Scottish king from 1034 to 1040. The arms are "Gules three wolves' heads, erased, Argent, armed and langued, Azure", with a wild man in chains lying under the escutcheon. The man in chains represents the captured member of the group that murdered King James I of Scotland in 1437. The crest is "A dexter hand holding up an imperial crown, Proper." And the motto is " Virtutis Gloria Merces". The other arms belong to the Clan Wilson. The surname Wilson has its roots in both Scotland and England, and before that in Normandy and Denmark. This coat of arms shows an alliance between a member of the Robertson clan and the Wilson clan.
A wonderful stamp engraved with the arms of the Second Mexican Empire. It is made of silver and jade. Besides the coat of arms, angels are beautifully carved in the handle. On the upper part, we can also read "l'union fait la force". The emperor of the Second Mexican Empire was Maximilian I of Mexico (1832–1867). He was an Austrian archduke from the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and the younger brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. His wife, the Empress of Mexico, was Charlotte (Carlota) of Belgium, who was the daughter of Leopold I, King of the Belgians, and Princess Louise of Orléans. As a Habsburg archduchess by marriage, Carlota held the title of Archduchess of Austria and Princess of Hungary and Bohemia before becoming Empress of Mexico. The Second Mexican Empire was established with the support of Napoleon III of France, who sought to expand French influence in the Americas during the U.S. Civil War. Although Maximilian attempted to implement some liberal reforms, he was ultimately unable to consolidate power and maintain control over the country. Maximilian’s empire crumbled, and he was executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867. (Ai)
This is not a masterpiece. But since there is no "purple" section on this website, I decided to add this stamp of the de Briey family in this section. The de Briey, or de Landres, family is an ancient noble family of knightly origin from Briey, in the County of Bar, now part of Lorraine. The family was part of the petits chevaux de Lorraine (minor nobility serving in the ducal cavalry of Lorraine). The family still subsists in France and Belgium. Among the most notable members of the family is Renaud (or Rainald) de Briey, a knight who participated in the First Crusade and died in 1097 at the Battle of Nicaea. His name and coat of arms are displayed in the first Hall of the Crusades at the Château de Versailles. Count Camille de Briey (1799–1877) was a senator, minister, and master of the forges.
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This stamp has joined the masterpieces of my collection, not for the beauty of its handle, but for the rarity of its origin. The engraved alliance coat of arms is indeed that of King William II of Württemberg (1848–1921) and Princess Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe (1864–1946), his second wife. King William II of Württemberg (German: König Wilhelm II. von Württemberg) was the last king of the Kingdom of Württemberg, reigning from 6 October 1891 until the monarchy was abolished on 30 November 1918. He reigned during the German Empire period, when Württemberg was one of the constituent kingdoms under the Prussian-led empire. His reign witnessed rapid industrialization, social change, and the challenges of World War I. Following the defeat of Germany in World War I and the German Revolution of 1918–19, William II was forced to abdicate on 30 November 1918. He never formally renounced his title and was still affectionately referred to as "King" by locals until his death in 1921. Princess Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe was a German princess. Though never a widely public figure, Princess Charlotte is remembered as the last Queen of Württemberg, a poised and faithful consort during a period of immense change. Her long life bridged the age of empires and the upheavals of the 20th century.
Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.