THE HIBON LAFRESNOYE SEBASTAPOL SHOT SEAL
A MID-19TH CENTURY FRENCH SHOT DESK SEAL
Estimate: £400 - £600
Auction: 17 September 2024 from 10:00 BST
Description
formed of three graduated shot balls, the largest mounted with a band engraved ‘SEBASTOPOL 8 SEPTEMBRE 1855’, to a baluster collar with beaded and facetted detail, the matrix of rounded rectangular outline, engraved with the coat of arms of the Hibon LaFresnoye family
Dimensions
9cm (long overall), 2.2cm - 2.5cm (diameter of canonballs), 1.8cm x 1.6cm (matrix)
Provenance
The Matrix Collection
Footnote
The arms of this seal relate to the Hibon LaFresnoye family, an important family from Pas de Calais on the North coast of France, and possibly more specifically to Augustin Hibon LaFresnoye (1789-1835).
The compartments of the seal are formed of three shot balls, purported to have been used at the battle of Malakoff in 1855. The battle was part of the siege of Sevastopol and the Crimean War. The city of Sevastopol was the home of the Tsar's Black Sea fleet, which threatened the West due to the access to the Mediterranean. Beginning in the June of that year, it culminated in less than a year with a French win. As France and Britain who were also involved in the Crimean war, were able to receive supplies from the sea they were able to defeat Russia who had to bring supplies over the dangerous desert of Southern Russia. It acted as one of the final episodes in the Crimean War.
Although no individual from the Hibon LaFresnoye family has been linked to the Battle, the seal is an overt display to commemorate the battle and the French success.
