-Edwardian 1900 Agate Desk Seal In 18Kt Gold With The Arms of The Prince of Wales
Desk seal with the arms of the Prince of Wales.
Very rare and unusual desk seal, created in England during the Edwardian period, back in the early 1900's. This seal feature the arms of the Prince of Wales and is composed by the agate pommel, carved with smooth surfaces and the round mount setting crafted in yellow gold of 18 karats with scrolls decorations. The seal depicts three feathers aligned over a crown, carved with incised intaglio in natural white agate.
Gemstones: The handle pommel is carved from a single piece of brown translucent agate with bluish veins.
Weight: 14.95 Grams, (9.58 Dwt).
Measurements: 41 mm by 19 mm (1.61 x 0.75 Inches).
Hallmarks: No marks, electronically tested for 18 karats gold.
Arms of Prince of Wales
The coat of arms of the Prince of Wales is the official personal heraldic insignia of the Princes of Wales, a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, formerly the Kingdom of Great Britain and before that the Kingdom of England. Since Edward I awarded it to his son the future Edward II, the heir apparent to the English throne has been created with the title Prince of Wales. The history of the coat of arms is closely linked with those of the Royal coat of arms of England and the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. However, as the noted antiquarian and heraldist Charles Boutell wrote in 1863, "The Arms of the Prince of Wales have a distinct individuality of their own, with which nothing ought to be directly associated".
History
The badge has no connection with the native Princes of Wales. Its use is generally traced back to Edward, the Black Prince (1330–1376), eldest son and heir apparent of Edward III of England. Edward bore (as an alternative to his differenced royal arms) a shield of Sable, three ostrich feathers argent, described as his "shield for peace", probably meaning the shield he used for jousting. These arms can be seen several times on his chest tomb in Canterbury Cathedral, alternating with his royal arms (the royal arms of King Edward III differenced by a label of three points argent). The prince also used badges of one or more ostrich feathers in a number of other contexts. The feathers had first appeared at the marriage of Edward III to Philippa of Hainault, and it is therefore likely that the Black Prince inherited the badge from his mother. Philippa was descended from the Counts of Hainault, whose eldest son bore the title "Count of Ostrevant", the ostrich (French: autruche, Old French spellings including ostruce) feathers being (perhaps) a heraldic pun on that name. Alternatively, the badge may have derived from the Counts of Luxembourg, from whom Philippa was also descended, and who had used the badge of an ostrich.
Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry pouch.
Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The agates are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P062423AOAF/.3593
