Code: 13068
This is an original Renaissance wax seal of Marie of Cleves (Marie de Clèves, Marie de Nevers; 1553–1574), by marriage the Princess of Condé.
It is an original wax seal with some of the parchment for attachment to the original document (now missing). The seal displays full heraldic arms after her marriage to the Prince of Condé in 1572 (until her death in 1574). The inscription is finely cut on a ribbon designed to wrap around the circumference, interspersed with flowers and ermines. The back of the seal bears a counterseal likely from a signet ring, along with many fingerprints!
OBJECT: Seal
CULTURE: Renaissance
DATE: c. 16th century AD c. 1572 - 1574 AD
MATERIAL: Wax and vellum
SIZE: 83mm dia x 11mm deep (120mm with tag)
WEIGHT: 37 grams
PROVENANCE: Formerly in a private collection Authieux Ratiéville, France.
