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Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Two hearts upon an altar, with inscription

This signet matrix is of blue glass, and has a design of two hearts upon an altar, with an inscription at its border. Its design shows that it was probably intended as a marriage or love token.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This example is an additional item which is not from this collection.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Head of Queen Victoria in her youth

An oval seal matrix of amber-coloured glass, with a design of the head of the young Queen Victoria, with radiate crown above. This matrix may have been created in 1837 to commemorate Victoria’s accession to the throne.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Early type of railway locomotive

A rectangular signet matrix of opalescent white glass, featuring a design of an early type of railway locomotive. This matrix was created c 1825.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Early type of steamship

A rectangular seal matrix of opaque pale blue glass, dating from c 1825, and bearing a design of an early type of steamship.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Mirror, with inscription

A rounded rectangular signet matrix made of purple glass. This matrix bears an image of a mirror, with an inscription in French around it, and dates from c 1775.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Male figure, with inscription

A circular blue glass seal matrix, bearing a design of a male figure with his arms raised, and the inscription ‘PRODIGIOUS’ above it. This matrix was created c 1775.
Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Signet, with inscription

A rectangular seal matrix of purple glass, bearing a design of a signet and the inscription ‘PUSH’, which refers to the action of making an imprint with the signet. This matrix was created in 1770.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Tree, with inscription

A rectangular mauve glass seal matrix, with a tree design and an inscription above it. This matrix dates from c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Triple head, with inscription

An oval seal matrix of clear white glass, created c 1800, featuring a moulded triple head design and an inscription above it.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Horses

A rectangular seal matrix of clear white glass, with a design of horses, created c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix with inscription

A rectangular seal matrix, dating from c 1800, and apparently made of blue paste, swirled with white. Its inscription, which consists of two lines, suggests that it may have been intended as a love token.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: heart-shaped Seal Matrix featuring Roses

A heart-shaped seal matrix made of clear white glass, bearing a design of roses. This signet matrix, produced c 1800, was probably intended as a love token.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Cupid, Hope and anchor, with inscription

A rectangular signet matrix made of amber glass, c 1800. This matrix features the female figure of Hope, a cupid and an anchor, with an inscription above them.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix with inscription

A hexagonal green glass seal matrix, bearing the inscription of a person’s name. This matrix was created c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Plough, with inscription

An octagonal clear white glass signet matrix, dating from c 1800. The matrix bears a plough design, with an inscription which reads ‘SPEED THE [PLOUGH]’.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Dog next to tomb, with inscription

A rectangular mauve glass seal matrix, created c 1800, with a design of a dog near a tombstone. There are inscriptions both above and on the tombstone.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix possibly featuring the head of George III

An oval seal matrix made of clear white glass, stamped but unfinished, and dating from c 1800. The matrix features a design which may be the head of King George III.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix with inscription

A rectangular signet matrix of purple glass, bearing an engraved letter ‘N’, and produced c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix with inscription

A rectangular blue glass signet matrix, with a simple engraved inscription, created c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix with inscription

A circular seal matrix of clear white glass, bearing the inscription ‘ALLS WELL’, and probably produced c 1800.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Sailing ship, with inscription

A circular seal matrix of clear white glass, with an image of a sailing ship and the inscription ‘ALL’S WELL’ above it. It was produced around 1775.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Joseph Priestley

A seal matrix, rectangular in shape, of dark green bloodstone. It features the head of Joseph Priestley, facing right, and was probably created c 1804.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Joseph Priestley

A rectangular signet matrix of purple glass, featuring the head of Joseph Priestley, facing right. The matrix was probably manufactured c 1804.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Joseph Priestley

A seal matrix of octagonal shape, made of purple glass with a design of the head of Joseph Priestley, facing left. Priestley died in 1804 and the matrix was probably after his death in that year.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Thistle, with inscription

A rectangular seal matrix of purple glass, bearing a thistle design. The inscription, which encircles the thistle, suggests that this matrix may have been intended as a love token. It was produced c 1775.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Thistle, with inscription

A rectangular seal matrix of clear white glass, featuring a thistle design encircled by an inscription. This matrix was created c 1775.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring dog, with inscription

A rectangular mauve glass seal matrix, created c 1775. The matrix is decorated with an image of a dog, above which is the inscription ‘TOUJOURS FIDELE’ (‘always faithful’). It may have been purchased as a love token.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.

Signet Matrix: Seal Matrix featuring Classical head

An oval signet matrix made of clear white glass, dating from c 1800. The matrix is stamped but unfinished, and features a bearded classical head.

Seal matrices also known as signet matrices were used to impress their owner’s mark into wax on documents during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many were made of moulded translucent glass. Little is known of their manufacture. They seem to have been produced for personal rather than commercial use. Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery acquired a collection of twenty-seven seal matrices in 1934. This is one of the items.