Italian Bronze Hand-Shaped Desk Seal

17TH CENTURY A.D.

5 1/4 in. (453 grams, 13.5 cm).

Formed as a left hand with flange rim to the cuff and wrist, ring to the third finger; stud to the reverse with geralfic seal, heater shield with helmet and lambrequin, underside with stud and profile bust.

Provenance

Acquired on the UK art market.
Private collection, England.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13087-249670.

Literature

Cf. Liubović, E., ‘Stemmi delle famiglie nobili italiane di Segna,’ in Alli, vol. XXIX, 1999, pp. 551-587 fig.27 p.585 for a similar heraldry.

Footnotes

In the 17th century, Italian noble seals were crucial heraldic instruments, depicting family crests, often surmounted by crowns (counts, marquises, princes) or helmets, and enriched with family specific symbols (e.g., vines for the Panevinos), portraits on horseback, or elements linked to ecclesiastical offices (papal keys) to authenticate documents, reflecting the prestige and authority of noble houses and civic patricians.

CONDITION

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LOT 0415