Sold for A$130
VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR. Metalware Badge Brass Great Seal. 152 mm across. 1850s
Good. The Great Seal of the Realm or Great Seal of the United Kingdom (known prior to the Treaty of Union of 1707 as the Great Seal of England; and from then until the Union of 1801 as the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland) is a seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents. Sealing wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the Monarch wishes to make official. As can be seen, this is brass! It is likely that the recipient of a wax great seal knew the importance of such a piece and so made a mould of it and cast this copy out of brass at the time for posterity. Lumps and dints look to be as made, lending credence to the theory this was moulded from a wax version. Has a hanging hook to the rear as well. Interesting item. Grade: N/A Estimate: $100 - 150
