Bidspirit auction | Late 19th to Early 20th

Late 19th to Early 20th Century Dutch Municipal Seal Impression Display Case - A vintage wooden collector's display case featuring an assortment of cast reproductions of historical Dutch municipal seals, also referred to as sphragistics. The front edge of the frame bears the hand-painted inscription Zegels van Steden, which translates from Dutch as Seals of Cities. The left vertical frame member features a hand-painted list of municipalities in red: Amsterdam, den Bosch, Zutphen, Hoorn, Medemblik, O:Vlieland, and Rotterdam. The interior contains several visible impressions, including a red wax seal mounted on cardstock labeled STAVOREN with the Latin inscription Sigillum civitatis Staurine, depicting a historical ship. Other impressions include a white plaster cast of a crowned coat of arms over a star motif, a yellow cast depicting a religious figure holding a key and book, and a dark gray cast depicting a knight on horseback with a shield. The wooden case is finished in a distressed light-colored paint and features a glass-fronted lid with metal hinges and latches. Length: 16.5 inches Width: 9.5 inches. The item is in fair, weathered condition consistent with age. The wooden display box shows significant paint loss, staining, and surface distress. Several original seal impressions are missing, evidenced by circular glue residue marks on the interior wooden backing. One brown-toned cast seal is broken into three separate fragments. The cardstock for the Stavoren seal exhibits age-related foxing and discoloration. The glass lid remains intact.