This remarkably large desk seal dates to the Victorian period and has been crafted from a single piece of carved rock crystal. The piece is finely engraved with acanthus leaf detailing and ribbing, and the matrix is engraved with the crest of the Townsend family. The Latin motto in the crest, 'Vita Posse Priore Frui' translates to 'To be able to enjoy the former part of life'. Whilst difficult to be sure of the origin of the piece, it likely has come from the United Kingdom, perhaps Scotland, in the second half of the 19th Century. The seal is in remarkably good order for its age, with only a couple of small fleabites to the edges of the crystal which are to be expected for a piece that would be handled regularly such as this. Incredibly large in size, the piece is weighty and has such presence that if sitting on a desk amongst other desk accessories it would certainly command attention.
Measures - 9.5cm H
Total weight of piece - 458 grams