A truly rare and historically important 19th Century Duchy of Lancaster - County Palatine Seal from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
This is NOT the common Great Seal of the Realm - this is the far scarcer seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, the King's private estate, used only for Duchy charters, deeds, and court documents relating to Lancashire and the Duchy's lands.
Double-sided red wax impression, still in its original black japanned tin skippet with vellum tag:
Obverse: Queen Victoria enthroned in state robes holding sceptre and orb, flanked by allegorical figures of Justice with sword and Religion with cross, with an angel of Fame sounding trumpets above. Legend: VICTORIA DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR
Reverse / Counterseal: The arms of the Duchy of Lancaster - shield with three lions passant with a label of three points, crowned and crested with lion passant guardant, flanked by ostrich feathers with labels. Legend: SIGILLUM COMITATUS PALATINI DUCATUS LANCASTRIAE - Seal of the County Palatine of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Complete with original paper-lined tin and the vellum/document tag where it was once attached to its charter. These seals were broken when the document was opened - to find one this intact is exceptional.
A museum-quality piece for collectors of British Royalty, English legal history, sigillography, or Lancaster history. Dramatic scale and detail for display.
CONDITION & DETAILS:
• Period: Victorian, c. 1840-1890
• Material: Red wax / composition seal, steel japanned tin skippet, vellum tag
• Dimensions: 6.25"
• Provenance: Found in England