Sealing Wax Box
1656 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The inscription on this sealing wax case is a pun on the maker’s name: Maden or Madin (pronounced "maiden"), a Sheffield family of cutlers. ‘I was in Sheffeild made & many can Wittnes:, I was not made by any man.’
Important documents were sealed by pressing an engraved seal into hot wax. The writer's initials or family crest indicated who sent the document, and if the seal was unbroken, it proved that no-one had tampered with it.
Important documents were sealed by pressing an engraved seal into hot wax. The writer's initials or family crest indicated who sent the document, and if the seal was unbroken, it proved that no-one had tampered with it.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brass, cast and engraved |
| Brief description | Brass, ENGLISH; dated 1656. Inscribed, I was in Sheffield made and many can Wittness, I was not made by any man. Probably made by Madin or Maden, an old cutlery making family; the initials on the seal, TB. Given by Miss Ethel Gurney; Brasswork |
| Physical description | Brass sealing wax case and seal. Cast and engraved decoration. Inscribed: Inscribed 'TD' on seal and on body 'I was in Sheffeild made & many can Wittnes:, I was not made by any man'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Summary | The inscription on this sealing wax case is a pun on the maker’s name: Maden or Madin (pronounced "maiden"), a Sheffield family of cutlers. ‘I was in Sheffeild made & many can Wittnes:, I was not made by any man.’ Important documents were sealed by pressing an engraved seal into hot wax. The writer's initials or family crest indicated who sent the document, and if the seal was unbroken, it proved that no-one had tampered with it. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.149-1922 |
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| Record created | November 1, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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