Show us your wax seals

[raging.dragon]

[...] But I hope that in the future the software or laser engraving technology can advance to replicate what was done in the 1200’s (ironic when you think about it!). I was actually very surprised to find few places have taken molds to replicate historic wax seals. Even Dexter Seal Engraving does not seem to offer any ready-made or cast seals. They must be custom ordered and hand engraved. But I continue to search and I’m excited to be here and learn more about wax seals!

 

Cheers,

 

-Adam

 

Atelier Gargoyle have some molded reproductions of engraved antique seals:

 

http://www.ateliergargoyle.com/pages/sealgallery1.html

[jjlax10]

I think they are hand engraved, thus the price.

[Cepasaccus]

They are cast.

 

"Our reproductions (from the original seals) ..."

"This seal is a jewelry-quality casting in bronze from the original seal, ..."

[kiavonne]

I think they are hand engraved, thus the price.

 

I think this was in reference to Dexter, whose seals are all engraved.

 

AG's are cast.

[jjlax10]

My mistake. I was told Dexter makes some of them.

[kiavonne]

No worries. Dexter does do reproductions, though. And, I could be mistaken, too, but all I've seen from/about them has been they do all hand engraving and no casting, so it's a new seal based on an old design, and by bespoke request only, they don't carry a stock, per se. Their "stock," or popular designs as they call them, are the ones most requested and they do not have to create more artwork as they would a fresh bespoke design.

 

As much as I like Dexter (like = obsessed, really), I cannot afford some of those reproductions, they are so minutely detailed that the endeavor would break my glass bank with just the thought. I recently ordered a new seal. I really wanted a pendant, too, to pass on to my brother's daughter one day, but she'll have to settle for my desk seals, as the jewelry is quite more expensive. The desk seals are impressive enough.

[raging.dragon]

My mistake. I was told Dexter makes some of them.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if one or two of the AG seals are reproductions of seals they had made by Dexter.

[kiavonne]

I don't think the antique seals were reproduced for casting, but I do know they had one or two of their own seals made, which they may cast to reproduce.

Edited March 5, 2014 by kiavonne

[Adamtrons]

From what I understand ATELIER GARGOYLE reproduces seals by using molds and DEXTER hand engraves all of them.

 

Sources:

 

ATELIER GARGOYLE

 

"Our contemporary seals are designed in our own studio in San Francisco, engraved by a European craftsman, and reproduced in his studio." In the case of the Dragons & Crowns Seal, "This seal is a jewelry-quality casting in bronze from the original seal...an antique from the eighteenth century, hand-engraved in carnelian. Twenty years ago, when we first started experimenting with reproducing our seals in bronze, the bronze works was vandalized, and this very special one-of-a-kind seal, a museum piece, was among the items stolen. So if you see it on the second-hand market, let us know, we’re offering a $5000 reward for the return (no questions asked) of our treasure. Fortunately, our rubber molds had already been made, and we now have these spectacular reproductions.

 

DEXTER

 

"Our most experienced craftsman William Wright, an esteemed artist and master craftsman of some considerable international renown, heads all custom engraving work. Mr. Wright hand engraves full time while overseeing our small team of engravers."

 

As for the pricing issue, it's my personal opinion that it's still a reasonable charge for a master craftsman artist with a special skill to do custom engraving work. The problem I face is the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Euro. For example, if I was in the UK, the seal would cost me maybe a few days wages, but from the US it costs about a week’s salary. I think Dexter needs to open another shop here in the US and then problem solved! Ha ha. Hopefully the value of our dollar will improve at some point. If it does, I'll be placing a lot of orders!

[saskia_madding]

I finally got my red sealing wax in. Yay! This is a seal I've used in this thread before, but I loved the red and gold so much I had to share.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/DSC00021_zpscadc2587.jpg

[kiavonne]

Looks great, saskia_madding! I like the contrasts of red and gold.

[Adamtrons]

I finally got my red sealing wax in. Yay! This is a seal I've used in this thread before, but I loved the red and gold so much I had to share.

 

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Wax%20seals/DSC00021_zpscadc2587.jpg

 

saskia_madding,

 

This is beautiful. I really like the red and gold contrast. I admire the sculpted detail of your seal!

[Adamtrons]

GREAT SEAL OF EDWARD III reproduction from customwaxnseals.net. I got the 35mm and resisted the temptation to get the 50mm. Sometimes I think bigger is better but the 35mm appears to be large enough to see the details without being too over the top. There is some sort of stray line going through the back of the horse. Probably a laser engraving glitch, but it's hardly noticeable in the end result. The impression with silver ink on red wax was included with my seal, which was a nice touch. I can see this becoming one of my favorites!

http://i58.tinypic.com/5k3ejb.jpghttp://i59.tinypic.com/vg78u1.jpg

[jjlax10]

Anyone know what these look like:

 

http://www.customwaxnseals.net/3d-laser-engraved-wax-seal-stamp-25mm/

[mobilebibliothek]

Anyone know what these look like:

 

http://www.customwaxnseals.net/3d-laser-engraved-wax-seal-stamp-25mm/

I originally wanted to have them make my seal. The customer service wasn't all that great though - they told me the design wouldn't work but didn't really tell me which parts to improve. When I emailed them asking for more information or guidelines they never wrote back. Needless to say I happily took my business elsewhere. Edited March 7, 2014 by mobilebibliothek

[Adamtrons]

Anyone know what these look like:

 

http://www.customwaxnseals.net/3d-laser-engraved-wax-seal-stamp-25mm/

 

mobilebibliothek,

 

You've stirred my curiousity now. If 2D is like the Edward III seal I ordered above, then does 3D mean it is a deeper, more sculted engraving similar to antique or Dexter style? I'm skeptical but I emailed customwaxnseals.net to see if they can provide photos for us to look at.

[raging.dragon]

 

mobilebibliothek,

 

You've stirred my curiousity now. If 2D is like the Edward III seal I ordered above, then does 3D mean it is a deeper, more sculted engraving similar to antique or Dexter style? I'm skeptical but I emailed customwaxnseals.net to see if they can provide photos for us to look at.

 

The Edward III seal is probably one of their 3D seals - note how the details aren't all the same height and many of the edges are rounded. With a 2D seal everything would be engraved to the same depth.

[Adamtrons]

mobilebibliothek,

 

I think you may be right. Although I could not tell when I first looked at the brass seal, I did notice the impression had different height as you described. For example, the text was a short height, the knight a medium height and the shield and front of horse a taller height. Also, the rounded edges as you described. I'm excited to see that the laser technology is evolving and improving. I can imagine a world of possibilities in the future!

[raging.dragon]

mobilebibliothek,

 

I think you may be right. Although I could not tell when I first looked at the brass seal, I did notice the impression had different height as you described. For example, the text was a short height, the knight a medium height and the shield and front of horse a taller height. Also, the rounded edges as you described. I'm excited to see that the laser technology is evolving and improving. I can imagine a world of possibilities in the future!

 

I wonder what will be possible when the price of 3D metal printing becomes more reasonable?

[kiavonne]

A lot of companies are using 2D laser engraving of seals, some seem to be experimenting with 3D. I don't care how detailed 3D metal printing may become in the future, it will never take the place of hand engraving through generations of experience in my eyes. I might get one if the price is right, but my Dexter seals are my joy and they are the ones I use most of all my seals.