The 19th Century Great Seals Silver Collection

1 |

2 |

3 |

4 |

5 |

6 |

7 |

Next >

Qty

The 19th Century Great Seals Silver Collection

Product code: GS19C
£1295.00

Qty

The Great Seals of the Realm represent the ultimate symbol of royal power and authority and throughout history have been used to ratify great Acts of Parliament including the Magna Carta itself. Its regal and dignified designs convey the majestic import although, maybe not surprisingly, they are designs which are not entirely familiar.

These superbly detailed silver satin Proof strikings capture the pomp, pageantry and costumes of their period and pay tribute to a rich and intriguing British history spanning two centuries. The Nineteenth-Century Silver Collection includes five Great Seals strikings including the fourth and fifth Great Seal Strikings of King George III, Great Seal Striking of King George IV, King William IV and the first Great Seal Striking of Queen Victoria. The silver strikings are beautifully displayed in a bespoke presentation case.

Be assured that only 1,000 collections will be available to satisfy worldwide demand

Be confident that each striking is struck in .999 fine silver

Gain peace of mind with an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity

Be the first to see the new Deputy Master's hallmark (AJS) features of the edge of the strikings

Boast the superb collection in a luxurious wooden presentation case

Acquire an individual full-colour Storycard with each silver striking

Learn about the history of the Great Seals with the colourfully illustrated booklet.

The Great Seals Nineteenth-Century Collection is a fantastic way for children and grandchildren to learn about the most important symbols of the British establishment at any given time in the last 200 years. The Great Seals are a part of British heritage and this superb collection is one to treasure.

Product Information

The oldest of the waxes of the nineteenth-century set of Seals is 200 years old and is extremely fragile. To replicate each one and to prevent any damage to these delicate pieces, state-of-the-art laser scanning technology has been used. The waxes were scanned with a 0.7mm laser lens from which a three-dimensional model was produced which could then be used to prepare the tooling. The silver strikings of the nineteenth-century Seals have therefore been subject to a production technique not previously attempted by the Royal Mint. The technique results in a softening of metal but the impressive formal compositions of the Seals have been reproduced faithfully in their entirety.

Many will agree with the Chief Engraver that 'it has been a privilege to take something from the Royal Mint archives something with real history and to allow people to be part of it'

Each silver striking comes complete with its own Storycard, explaining its history and symbolism. The luxurious display case, made of warm cherry wood, accommodates the set of Storycards in its base while the booklet - beautifully illustrated and recounting the long history of the Great Seal - is held safely in its inner lid.

Background & History

The Royal Mint Museum, established in the early nineteenth century and now containing well over 100,000 items, provides an absorbing glimpse into the history of Britain. One of the most fascinating series of objects is a set of impressions of Great Seals dating back over 1,000 years and it was this series that has been the inspiration behind the beautiful fine silver collections that are now being made available.

The Great Seal of the Realm is the ultimate symbol of royal authority. As such, it has, from the time of Edward the Confessor, been designed to reflect the status of each successive monarch. It is not simply the historic import of the Great Seals that commands attention; it is their beauty and artistry, created by some of the foremost sculptors and engravers of their day, that is truly magnificent.

It has been a challenge but also an honour to assemble a collection of silver strikings that, in meticulous detail, reflect the Great Seals of four British monarchs of the nineteenth century. Original artwork was made available to the Royal Mint Design Team so that the designs of the original Seals could be reproduced faithfully. As you will see, the result is a collection of great beauty and dignity.