Gerry's Collection
of Antique Wax Seal Stamps
Page 1 Page 2
♥♥♥♥♥
This seal stamp belonged to Arthur Marie de Kermerc’hou de Kerautem and his wife Marie Caroline Emmanuelle de Saisy de Kerampuil. The de Kermerc’hou family was established in the dioceses of Tréguier, in Brittany. In 1669, the family proved its ancient noble lineage before the Chambre de Réformation, tracing its ancestry back to Philippe de Kermerc’hou, active at the musters of 1479–1480. The de Saisy de Kerampuil family originated in the Nivernais and settled in Brittany in the 14th century. Known as Kerampuil from the 15th century, they were maintained noble in 1669 and again recognized as noble of ancient chivalric extraction in 1778. Admitted to the honors of the Court in 1789, they bore the motto “Qui est Saisy est fort". A point of interest lies in the variable presence of the axe (hache) in representations of the Saisy arms. Some depictions show only the sword and wasp, omitting the axe entirely.
Stained-glass at the St Samson church
The arms of the de Saisy de Kerampuil family, depicting the axe
Comte Paul de Saisy de Kerampuil
♥♥♥♥♥
This wax seal stamp was likely used in Italy during the late Baroque period, probably 1650-1750, and belonged to someone of noble status, perhaps duchess, noble lady, or abbess (due to the oval shield). The coat of arms shows a single vertical charge, possibly a sword or long arrow, rising from a mount or clouds. Stars or crosslets may also be present, though the engraving has become so worn that it is really difficult to identify. The outer border bears inscription, but equally difficult to read.
♥♥♥♥♥
With minor reservations, this seal may be attributed to a member of the Reinhart zu Thurnfels und Ferklehen family. The hesitation arises from a small heraldic detail: the flow of the river in the engraved arms runs in the opposite direction to that shown in some printed representations. Such variations, however, are not uncommon in seals and later reproductions. More decisive is the crest, which depicts a lion between two wings, a distinctive and consistent element of the Reinhart zu Thurnfels und Ferklehen arms. This feature strongly supports the identification. The family belonged to the Austrian baronial (Freiherr) nobility and was primarily associated with civil and administrative service rather than military or court life. Its most notable member was Ignaz Freiherr Reinhart zu Thurnfels und Ferklehen (1782–1843), born in Innsbruck and later active in Vienna. Trained in law, he entered the Imperial House Archives in 1806 and rose through the ranks to become Director of the Imperial House, Court and State Archives in 1840.
Page 1 Page 2
Gerry's Collection of Antique Seal Stamps.