THE HENRY ALEXANDER (1664-1739), 5TH EARL OF STIRLING DESK SEAL
A LATE 17TH-CENTURY BOXWOOD AND SILVER DESK SEAL, CIRCA 1685
£1,386
Auction: 19 May 2023 from 10:00 BST
Description
the turned baluster boxwood handle indistinctly written on in ink noting original ownership, socket set with silver collar and oval matrix with engraved armorial
Dimensions
Length: 97mm, matrix: 30mm x 25mm
Footnote
Note:
It would appear this seal originally belonged to Henry Alexander, eldest son of the 4th Earl of Stirling. He was Viscount Canada from 1664 until succeeding his father in 1691. Stylistically, it would seem likely this seal was made on him reaching his majority in 1685.
Eldest son of Henry Alexander (1633-91) 4th Earl of Stirling, and his first wife Judith (b.1664), he was educated at Eton and resided primarily at his house in Binfield but held his Scottish roots by frequently voting as a Scottish representative peer. He was retired and granted a pension of £200 a year by 1733. On his death, the peerage became dormant, and his property was distributed between his cousin and nephews.