Show us your wax seals

[stonezebra]

Would dipping the ring in very hot water remove the stuck wax? Seems like I read that somewhere...

[Cepasaccus]

Could be. I would also try alcohol.

[carlosviet]

Rubbing just a little oil in the seal before its use avoids the wax to stuck.

[ac12]

You guys are BAD.

As if I did not have enough to spend my time and money on, not you give me one more thing.

Here I go, down another rabbit hole.

[saskia_madding]

I finally, FINALLY got a lighter to do this, so I'm just learning. I'm trying to figure out how much wax each seal needs, and I clearly need more practice. Here are my first attempts.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/2ADAD2F6-AF36-436E-B018-7612EDB4ABA5-2075-000002DEEC6DE284_zpsa2907d9f.jpg?t=1378995062

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/93561CCB-F618-4B81-8A38-B2AE5453125B-2075-000002DEE2106AE5_zps8f2bab5e.jpg?t=1378995065

[ac12]

I found a wax seal at an estate sale last week.

It is either a V or U, maybe a C, depending on how you hold it and look at it.

It is scratched and chipped, from being in a drawer of stuff for decades, so I do not know how good or bad the impression will be.

Since it is not my initial, if anyone wants it, send me a PM.

But be patient, I don't get to the Post Office often.

[jjlax10]

I finally, FINALLY got a lighter to do this, so I'm just learning. I'm trying to figure out how much wax each seal needs, and I clearly need more practice. Here are my first attempts.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/2ADAD2F6-AF36-436E-B018-7612EDB4ABA5-2075-000002DEEC6DE284_zpsa2907d9f.jpg?t=1378995062

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/93561CCB-F618-4B81-8A38-B2AE5453125B-2075-000002DEE2106AE5_zps8f2bab5e.jpg?t=1378995065

Where did these come from?

[BatMirk]

This is definitely my new favourite topic. I haven't quite gotten into wax seals yet, but I figured I'd just make at least one myself to try it out. (Spending the last three years in school being taught how to cut, shape and solder tiny pieces of metal, one might as well make it useful.) They won't be worth even mentioning in the same forum as these ones, though. Or if the new soldering tools work out I might just skip straight to simple signet rings.

 

One question, though. How big should they be, as in diameter? What's the norm?

[sargetalon]

I just got into wax seals and have started with a simple J Herbin letter "D." I love the examples in this thread. I'm having a custom seal made up now. It is a caduceus flanked by my initials. The phrase at the bottom is Latin for "Physician, Heal Thyself." To me, it symbolizes the therapy/release that writing provides. I can't wait until its finished. Here is the proof.

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/Capture_zps9fe19352.jpg

[Cepasaccus]

One question, though. How big should they be, as in diameter? What's the norm?

Depends on century, seal type and importance of person using it.

 

A seal ring is normally not wider than the finger. A simple pendant seal from 13th century England is a circle and has a diameter of about 2cm. For simple church use it appears to be almond shaped and a bit bigger. An emperors seal was maybe 8 to 10 cm. A seal from around 1900 I have is oblong with a dimension of 2 x 1.5cm.

 

My suggestion is a 2cm circle. It is sufficiently large to bear recognizable images and to seal effectively a letter while it does not require so much wax.

 

Cepasaccus

[WOBentley]

I just got into wax seals and have started with a simple J Herbin letter "D." I love the examples in this thread. I'm having a custom seal made up now. It is a caduceus flanked by my initials. The phrase at the bottom is Latin for "Physician, Heal Thyself." To me, it symbolizes the therapy/release that writing provides. I can't wait until its finished. Here is the proof.

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/Capture_zps9fe19352.jpg

I love this seal, but I think (with my rudimentary to non-existent Latin knowledge) that it just says " Heal Thyself". In order to say Physician Heal Thyself it would need to say medicus cura te ipsum.

Others with more knowledge may correct me!

[Cepasaccus]

It could also mean, that you should care for yourself, so you won't get ill.

[saskia_madding]

Two more. I really need wax another colour than blue.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/DSC09669_zps3be4bfcc.jpg

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/DSC09684_zps9b9f622e.jpg

[NobleDel]

I wanted to show our seals. Three were purchased from Atelier Gargoyle along with the dark red sealing wax used for these impressions. The other three were ebay finds.

 

[Cepasaccus]

Especially the first one is rather nice.

[sargetalon]

I finally got my seal from "Custom Wax N' Seals" in the UK. Service was great and about a 3 week turn around. The provided impressions are posted below. I'm going to use this with J. Herbin supple wax in the blue color. I've ordered a J. Herbin silver ink pad because I think that will provide nice contrast and really make this seal pop. Alternatively, I'm considering getting white wax to mix with the blue and try a marbled effect but I haven't committed to that idea yet.

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/1381261403_zps53c91ee3.jpg

 

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f282/jdanley/1381261415_zps2fb97dd3.jpg

[saskia_madding]

That looks great! I have the silver stick pad and used it on blue before. It looks really nice. I think if I were you I'd get the ivory wax and a dark blue pad instead, so the lettering would be a stark ivory over the dark blue recessed portion. Trust me, blue and silver doesn't pop as much as you'd think.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/DSC09669_zps3be4bfcc.jpg

[saskia_madding]

Mwa ha ha ha ha! <insert evil laugh here> I just snagged two amazing seals. I'll post pictures when they get here!

[Cepasaccus]

My newest signet.

[alv_23]

WOW!! I really love most of these wax seals!!

 

I have ordered a wax seal and i'm waiting for it, when I have it i'm going to post some photos.