In the 19th and 20th century a letter or correspondence would be folded and sealed with a wax seal, in order to potect the unwanted opening of the letter, and to sometimes show from whom it came. This would require a block of hard sealing wax and a hand-held seal to make the impression. Desk seals were plentiful during this time, and were a necessary accessory to any desk. The handle would be made from various materials, such as wood, silver, ivory, agate or mother of pearl. The stamper was usually made from brass or steel and would either have a hatched design or an engraved crest, or the initials of the owner. A block of sealing wax would be held over a flame and melted onto the folded letter or envelope and then the seal would be pressed into the hot wax to leave its mark, when cooled this would act as a seal until opened by the recipient.
 
This is a very fine quality mother of pearl desk seal, beautifully turned with a metal stamp depicting a small bird with a branch. The Georgians and Victorians were fond of sentimental symbolism. This would have been owned by a lady of society and would have been found on a lady’s private desk.
 
Condition is very good with no chips or cracks.
 
Dimensions: 5cm x 2cm