Show us your wax seals

[ernestcow]

The name "Miller" in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and a winged scarab added for fun. This is larger seal and took several attempts to get it right. Will probably use a hot wax (glue) gun next time or melt the wax in small pot on the stove.

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/2hsadqb.jpg

may I ask where you got this seal from? And how did you translate your name into hieroglyphics? Thanks in advance

[Adamtrons]

may I ask where you got this seal from? And how did you translate your name into hieroglyphics? Thanks in advance

 

Hi Ernestcow,

 

Thank you for your interest. To answer your question, I downloaded an Egyptian hieroglyphic font, installed it and then opened a project in Photoshop. I typed my name with the font and then added the scarab clip art. I also researched online to make verify I had it correct. I sent the file to an Etsy store named Black Market Intl. They custom made the seal for me. Here is their link:

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/blackmarketintl

[claudewick]

When I was young I remember that my dad owns a very old family ring that was also used as a wax seal. Unfortunately my father told me he lost it, when he moved back from Brazil to Switzerland, where he lives now...

 

So, a few years ago I ordered my own wax seal. The artisan used a picture of my family's coat of arms (that was made by one of my ancestors in the XVI century and restored my father's grandpa in the XIX century) that rests on my living room's wall.

 

I really liked the result.

 

Cheers

[ernestcow]

When I was young I remember that my dad owns a very old family ring that was also used as a wax seal. Unfortunately my father told me he lost it, when he moved back from Brazil to Switzerland, where he lives now...

 

So, a few years ago I ordered my own wax seal. The artisan used a picture of my family's coat of arms (that was made by one of my ancestors in the XVI century and restored my father's grandpa in the XIX century) that rests on my living room's wall.

 

I really liked the result.

 

Cheers

that's a really nice looking seal

[ernestcow]

 

Hi Ernestcow,

 

Thank you for your interest. To answer your question, I downloaded an Egyptian hieroglyphic font, installed it and then opened a project in Photoshop. I typed my name with the font and then added the scarab clip art. I also researched online to make verify I had it correct. I sent the file to an Etsy store named Black Market Intl. They custom made the seal for me. Here is their link:

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/blackmarketintl

Thank you very much for your answer and the link

[Adamtrons]

When I was young I remember that my dad owns a very old family ring that was also used as a wax seal. Unfortunately my father told me he lost it, when he moved back from Brazil to Switzerland, where he lives now...

 

So, a few years ago I ordered my own wax seal. The artisan used a picture of my family's coat of arms (that was made by one of my ancestors in the XVI century and restored my father's grandpa in the XIX century) that rests on my living room's wall.

 

I really liked the result.

 

Cheers

 

claudewick! That is a beautiful seal. I love the detail of the crown.

[Adamtrons]

A new seal from Dexter. A dragon rising out of a coronet (crown). It is 38mm (1.5"). There are a lot of fine details in the dragon scales and wings. It has become one of my favorites.

 

http://i59.tinypic.com/35jeao5.jpg

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/ankh7k.jpg

[Adamtrons]

Valentine's Day wax seal based on Robert Indiana's Love sculpture at Love Park (official name: JFK Plaza) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

http://i57.tinypic.com/vfja5x.jpg

[Adamtrons]

St. Patrick's Day wax seal based on a Celtic knot shamrock. This was the first time I used metallic gold ink with the stamp. It made the image pop out and have a lot more contrast. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Good luck!!

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/52gfo2.jpg

[Ink Blotto]

Nice. I'd like to see a seal using the dragon from post #467 with the metallic ink. That would look regal.

 

IB

[Adamtrons]

Nice. I'd like to see a seal using the dragon from post #467 with the metallic ink. That would look regal.

 

IB

 

Thanks Ink Blotto! I'm very tempted to do that. However, the dragon seal is the most expensive seal that I own, other than my family crest. It took Dexter several months to design and engrave that one for me by hand. I keep it in a protective black velvet pouch. Maybe one day I will build up the nerve to do it. The ink seemed to come off the brass shamrock seal without a problem and I suppose it does not stain or penetrate metal, but there's still that doubt in the back of my mind that I may ruin it somehow. Paranoid I, guess. Ha ha. I do think it would look fantastic.

 

-Adam

[Ink Blotto]

That didn't occur to me. It would be a shame to harm that dragon seal. Someday I plan to get a custom seal.

[Bhartman007]

Are these "family coats of arms" just neat arms that the families have taken to using, knowing that there is no such thing as a family coat of arms, or are there countries that actually award arms to whole families?

[kiavonne]

Are these "family coats of arms" just neat arms that the families have taken to using, knowing that there is no such thing as a family coat of arms, or are there countries that actually award arms to whole families?

 

Many coats of arms are family heritage and were established centuries ago. Same with Scottish clan badges. There is a certain pride and honor in having a family arms or clan badge. Seals started centuries ago as a means of identification and arms have been passed from generation to generation. There are certain aspects of arms which differentiate between "nobility" and "common" folk, male or female heirs, family unions, etc.

 

Technically, unless one can prove lineage to these arms, they should not be used just because one has the same last name. Lineage/heritage dictates use. At the same time, England and Scotland can grant new and unique arms; but that's a process, and you have to prove the English/Scottish heritage behind the request. Grants are not usually given to foreigners, except under very special circumstances.

 

The USA doesn't grant arms, but the American College of Heraldry will register your unique, adopted arms, as long as they conform to the "laws" of heraldry (and there are a lot to consider). They have plethora of information about heraldry and arms. My unique arms are registered through the ACH. Now, being female, I technically cannot simply pass my arms to my chosen heirs (single with no children of my own), but my dad - if still living - could apply to the ACH to have the arms transferred to him, in which case my brother and his daughter could then inherit the official use as "family" arms. How that would work outside of the USA, I couldn't say.

 

Many of the seals seen here are also antiques which were picked up from estate sales or auctions. Some are quite old. Granted, using someone else's arms seems not quite the right thing to do, but it is also a shame to see such treasures of history unused.

[Bhartman007]

I learned a ton about grants of arms while researching getting some of my own. I went so far as to speak with the Windsor Herald at the College of Arms in London. I (and I would imagine most other Americans on this site of British ancestry) qualify for what they call an honorary grant of arms, since I can show direct lineage to a British subject living in the colonies before independence, or (and, in my case) a lineage to a British subject that immigrated after independence.

 

My point was that there are no such things as family coats of arms. Arms were (and still are) granted to individuals. The eldest male child can assume those arms through matriculation after the death of the armigerous father, and his other sons (and even daughters) can use modified versions of their fathers arms. It's still very common for people to think "Smith" or "Jones" have coats of arms, when it would have been Bob Smith or Edward Jones who had coats of arms.

 

That's why I was wondering if these were "family" coats (wink wink nudge nudge), or coats belonging to an ancestor. If Mt great great grand pappy had arms, I would absolutely stick 'em on a seal and enjoy the heritage. If I ever scrape up the spare coin, which is about $8,000 USD, I'll get the arms from England and make a ring for myself. My wife just doesn't see it as as important a use of 8 grand as I do. *shrug*

[TheGreatRoe]

I learned a ton about grants of arms while researching getting some of my own. I went so far as to speak with the Windsor Herald at the College of Arms in London. I (and I would imagine most other Americans on this site of British ancestry) qualify for what they call an honorary grant of arms, since I can show direct lineage to a British subject living in the colonies before independence, or (and, in my case) a lineage to a British subject that immigrated after independence.

 

My point was that there are no such things as family coats of arms. Arms were (and still are) granted to individuals. The eldest male child can assume those arms through matriculation after the death of the armigerous father, and his other sons (and even daughters) can use modified versions of their fathers arms. It's still very common for people to think "Smith" or "Jones" have coats of arms, when it would have been Bob Smith or Edward Jones who had coats of arms.

 

That's why I was wondering if these were "family" coats (wink wink nudge nudge), or coats belonging to an ancestor. If Mt great great grand pappy had arms, I would absolutely stick 'em on a seal and enjoy the heritage. If I ever scrape up the spare coin, which is about $8,000 USD, I'll get the arms from England and make a ring for myself. My wife just doesn't see it as as important a use of 8 grand as I do. *shrug*

 

 

I'm an amateur herald and what you say regarding "family" coats of arms is correct. This is a fallacy brought about by the use of the clan crests, and stoked by the niche industry of selling family heraldry to people through shops at fairs and tourist destinations. If you go to a fair and look up the name Jones you'll find a design that maybe at some point belonged to someone with the name Jones, but if it was ever legitimate, at most only 1 person alive today has the rights to use it

 

However, if you are American and want your own coat of arms, crest, badge, etc, as we have no Heraldic authority in the US you are free to design (and register if you so desire) your own design, or to have someone schooled in heraldry do it with/for you. The only real reason to register them with the College of Arms in England is if you want to have arms registered in England--many European countries have their own registries, and there is no central registry--and want to pay a large sum of money to a foreign government.

 

There's a lot more information available through the American Heraldry Society. I'm a member of the AHS and the nice folks there helped me design my own, many years back. You can see these, and some other of my designs through the last link in my signature.

[kiavonne]

I stand partially corrected.

[sargetalon]

This talk of heraldry has been very interesting so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Definitely learned something I wasn't aware of. I always wanted a coat of arms but was bummed about the lack of lineage. I appareciate the insight. Thanks kiavonne, dcroe05, and Bhartman007.

[Cepasaccus]

In Germany getting arms is mostly like getting a pseudonym for this forum. You just choose one and its yours. It is said, that it has to be unique, but I am not sure about that. I believe, that I would not be allowed to use such arms in UK.

 

Anyway, I thought about creating my arms, but today there is just no use for arms. So I stayed without.

 

Cepasaccus

[Bhartman007]

However, if you are American and want your own coat of arms, crest, badge, etc, as we have no Heraldic authority in the US you are free to design (and register if you so desire) your own design, or to have someone schooled in heraldry do it with/for you. The only real reason to register them with the College of Arms in England is if you want to have arms registered in England--many European countries have their own registries, and there is no central registry--and want to pay a large sum of money to a foreign government.

 

There's a lot more information available through the American Heraldry Society. I'm a member of the AHS and the nice folks there helped me design my own, many years back. You can see these, and some other of my designs through the last link in my signature.

The main reason I want some from England is to have a "real" coat that was granted by the same authority that's been granting them for centuries. The whole point, for me, is the tradition and the sense of belonging to an ancient fraternity of armigerous forebears. That said, I wouldn't mind a bit having one designed and registered with the AHS. I've looked at the website before and got lost trying to figure out how to find a heraldic artist to do it.

 

This talk of heraldry has been very interesting so thank you for bringing it to my attention. Definitely learned something I wasn't aware of. I always wanted a coat of arms but was bummed about the lack of lineage. I appreciate the insight. Thanks kiavonne, dcroe05, and Bhartman007.

You're welcome

 

In Germany getting arms is mostly like getting a pseudonym for this forum. You just choose one and its yours. It is said, that it has to be unique, but I am not sure about that. I believe, that I would not be allowed to use such arms in UK.

 

Anyway, I thought about creating my arms, but today there is just no use for arms. So I stayed without.

 

Cepasaccus

I was a bit disappointed when I learned that Germany had no official repository of arms. My direct paternal lineage goes into Germany 3 generations ago, and I was hoping to find an ancestor that had some.

 

I am also, apparently, a provably direct descendant of Robert I, king of Scotland. However, since it isn't down the direct male line it entitles me to nothing, arms wise. Scotland does arms in the same fashion as England, but doesn't grant new arms to Americans.

 

 

Here's an interesting read I found a couple of years ago about a man who, upon finding out the "family coat of arms" was shenanigans, set about to get a real one for himself. http://www.familychronicle.com/CoatofArms1.htm