Lions Head Wax Seal?

[Don in SJ]

Lion's Head Wax Seal?

I found this beautiful relic many years ago, do not even remember where, shame on me, but I have always thought it was a Wax Seal depicting a Lion's head and that it used to be attached to a wooden handle, similar to the one in the photo I am also posting.

My question is, is it in fact a wax seal and if so, does the Lion's head have any significance that could be explained.

The diameter is 35mm or roughly 1 3/8" and there is a number 7 on the broken shaft, which until this morning, I do not remember it being there.

My guess has been that it was a wax seal, British, and probably from late 1700's to early 1800's. But, I have no idea if the Lion's head means anything special, like official Gov't stamp or something like that.

Thanks,

Don

 

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[jonnyrebel00]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Knowing where you found it would help a bit in ID cause i have seen these sold in book stores and it may or may not be authentic.

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Could it just be a knob? A drawer pull?

Seems like a wax seal would have a concave impression... ?

 

[CarolinaDigs]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Wonderful find Don

 

[Lafitte]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Have you tried pushing it into a blob of Play-doh or something to see what the impression looks like?
The back, to me, doesn't look like what you'd see on a handle or drawer pull.

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Have you tried pushing it into a blob of Play-doh or something to see what the impression looks like?
The back, to me, doesn't look like what you'd see on a handle or drawer pull.

Yes, I use Silly Putty for that, also great for holding it up in the photo I posted. It does leave a lions head impression in the putty, Jim in Montana. It is recessed inside the outer ring and the item is old, if you saw it in person, the corrosion and wear and tear on it is convincing, besides, I know it was found at an old site, I just don't know which one of them. I made the initial ID right after I found it and since I thought British , Wax Seal, 1700's at the time, I know it came from an old homestead, which the vast majority of my finds are from....

Don

 

[dugupfinds]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Could it just be a knob? A drawer pull?

Seems like a wax seal would have a concave impression... ?

I agree, & we are the best guessers

Drawer handle.

 

[dg39]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Drawer pull.
DG

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

I'm NOT saying I'm right - I'm just saying consider the possibility:

http://www.eclectic-ware.com/Eclectic-ware/Classic_Brass/cb-stgeorges/cb-stgeorges.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/1800s-SOLID-BRA...WITH-RING_W0QQitemZ270115597545QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.antiquehardware.com/product/02306715/

 

[Don in SJ]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Jim and Dugfinds, the lion is recessed inside the outer loop, it in essence is concave and nowhere near like any drawer pull I found and yes Jim I saw that site earlier today. Those lions protrude and on every other site I saw. Now it may be because this older, however, I still see no evidence to say one way or the other. The recessed part looks noway like any type of drawer knob/pull that I have found, but by the same token it does not match how most wax seals are, so it is a standoff for the moment . Regardless, guesses on age??

I asked several "experts" the women in the household and none of them think it is a door/drawer knob/pull. Can't argue with women.

Don

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Jim and Dugfinds, the lion is recessed inside the outer loop, it in essence is concave and nowhere near like any drawer pull I found and yes Jim I saw that site earlier today. Those lions protrude and on every other site I saw. Now it may be because this older, however, I still see no evidence to say one way or the other. The recessed part looks noway like any type of drawer knob/pull that I have found, but by the same token it does not match how most wax seals are, so it is a standoff for the moment . Regardless, guesses on age??

I asked several "experts" the women in the household and none of them think it is a door/drawer knob/pull. Can't argue with women.

Don

Fair enough!

 

[Angelo]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

I'm going with a Spool-Cabinet Pull. I believe that yours is rather large to be a wax seal. Then again?

Here's a picture of a back plate that measures 1 3/8". Still looking for the front.

Heck Yeah! I'll argue with the women! (Maybe the reason that I'm single.)

Tony

 

[dugupfinds]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

I'm going with a Spool-Cabinet Pull. I believe that yours is rather large to be a wax seal. Then again?

Here's a picture of a back plate that measures 1 3/8". Still looking for the front.

Heck Yeah! I'll argue with the women! (Maybe the reason that I'm single.)

Tony

I agree. I'm a 199% sure its NOT a seal.

 

[blurr]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

Jim and Dugfinds, the lion is recessed inside the outer loop, it in essence is concave and nowhere near like any drawer pull I found and yes Jim I saw that site earlier today. Those lions protrude and on every other site I saw. Now it may be because this older, however, I still see no evidence to say one way or the other. The recessed part looks noway like any type of drawer knob/pull that I have found, but by the same token it does not match how most wax seals are, so it is a standoff for the moment . Regardless, guesses on age??

I asked several "experts" the women in the household and none of them think it is a door/drawer knob/pull. Can't argue with women.

Don

Nice find Don,

To me it looks like a drawer pull. Does that make it less of a find? Whatever it is, it's old and comes with a history. Again, nice find.

John

 

[Dman]

Re: Lion's Head Wax Seal?

nice find