Silver Seals

The seal matrix, or seal die, has existed in Europe since at least the tenth century, when it was used by the royal chancery. Over the centuries more establishments adopted using seals, filtering down to institutions such as monasteries by the fourteenth century. Used to make an impression in wax of a logo or crest, seals were mostly used to seal envelopes or to authenticate documents, hence the phrase ‘seal of approval’. They continued to be used until the twentieth century, when they were largely superseded by rubber stamps and embossing, however, they still remain highly collectable today. Steppes Hill Farm Antiques has a range of fine examples of antique silver and gold seals available to purchase, and we will gladly advise on any of our items.