Georgian Horse Head Armorial Desk Seal C.1770–1800 Scottish Interest

An unusual late-Georgian copper-alloy, probably brass, armorial desk seal finely modelled as a bridled horse's head, with an engraved intaglio matrix and a traditional association with the Abercromby family of Tullibody, Scotland.

Highlights

Late-Georgian equestrian armorial desk seal

Late 18th century, circa 1770–1800, provisional

Copper alloy, probably brass

Finely modelled bridled horse's head

Circular engraved intaglio matrix

Two shield-shaped heraldic cartouches

British, possibly Scottish

Traditionally associated by repute with the Abercromby family of Tullibody

Historic association with Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby KB (1734–1801), presently unverified

Private Scottish estate provenance by repute

Approximately 7 cm high × 5.5 cm long × 2.6 cm wide

Approximately 180 grams

The Horse-Head Handle

The handle is conceived as a miniature equestrian sculpture rather than merely a functional grip.

The alert ears, pronounced brow, articulated eye, open mouth and detailed tack give the horse considerable animation.

The bridle crosses the face and muzzle, with the bit and cheek pieces clearly represented. Incised passages describe the mane along the neck.

Areas of high-point rubbing contrast attractively with darker material retained within the recesses, emphasising the modelling and giving the object the character expected of an extensively handled Georgian antique.

The Armorial Intaglio

The circular underside contains a genuine engraved intaglio matrix.

An intaglio seal is cut below the surface so that, when pressed into sealing material, the resulting impression displays the design in relief. The engraved matrix is consequently laterally reversed in relation to the impression it was intended to produce.

The matrix contains two separate shield-shaped cartouches positioned alongside one another beneath elaborate foliate and heraldic ornament.

Above the shields is a complex upper achievement which may incorporate crest or other heraldic elements, although historic wear and deposits prevent a secure reading of its individual components.

No owner's initials, motto or date can presently be identified with confidence.

Traditional Abercromby Family Association

The seal has traditionally been associated by repute with the Abercromby family of Tullibody, Scotland, and more specifically with Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby KB (1734–1801).

There is genuine historical context behind this tradition.

Sir Ralph was the son and heir of George Abercromby of Tullibody and Mary Dundas. In 1767 he married Mary Anne Menzies, second daughter and co-heiress of John Menzies of Ferntower, Crieff.

The presence of two shield-like cartouches makes the possibility of a marital or family heraldic context worthy of investigation.

Detailed heraldic research has, however, not presently produced a positive identification.

The recorded Abercromby of Tullibody arms incorporate an indented chevron between three erased boars' heads, together with a crescent in chief. Those diagnostic elements cannot presently be read securely within either of the worn shields on this matrix.

Likewise, the principal Menzies armorial tradition prominently incorporates a chief, which cannot presently be identified conclusively here.

The Abercromby connection is therefore retained as an important traditional attribution, but the seal is not catalogued as Sir Ralph Abercromby's personal seal.

Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby KB

Sir Ralph Abercromby was a distinguished British Army officer and one of the notable military commanders of the later eighteenth century.

Born in 1734 into the Abercromby family of Tullibody, he studied in Scotland and on the Continent before choosing a military career.

He entered cavalry service in 1756 and served during the Seven Years' War before rising through the ranks during a long military career.

His later commands encompassed campaigns in the Netherlands, Caribbean, Ireland and Mediterranean.

During his final campaign in Egypt, Abercromby commanded British forces at the Battle of Alexandria on 21 March 1801. He was wounded during the action and died on 28 March.

His cavalry background makes the traditional association with a horse-head seal particularly evocative, although the equestrian form itself cannot be treated as evidence of ownership.

Dating

No maker's mark, hallmark, dated inscription or securely identified armorial owner presently fixes the object to a particular year.

Its form and construction are compatible with the later Georgian period.

A commercial catalogue date of late 18th century, circa 1770–1800, is therefore considered appropriate, pending specialist heraldic or material examination.

Material

The yellow-gold appearance and areas of darker oxidation are visually consistent with an historic copper alloy.

Without metallurgical analysis it is not possible to distinguish conclusively between brass and bronze from appearance alone.

The object is therefore conservatively catalogued as copper alloy, probably brass.

Condition report:

Offered in good antique condition consistent with considerable age and historic use.

The copper-alloy surface displays an attractive aged patina with rubbing, small marks, scratches and areas of darker oxidation.

There is expected wear to the high points of the horse's modelling and around the edge of the matrix.

The engraved intaglio retains old dark deposits together with reddish and greenish traces within and around some of the recesses. These may comprise historic sealing material, corrosion products or accumulated deposits and have therefore not been definitively identified as sealing wax.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the condition report.