THE ALAN DE LANCY CURWEN (1869-1930) PERSONAL DESK SEAL
A MEDIEVAL REVIVAL SILVER SEAL, CARRINGTON & CO., LONDON 1906
Estimate: £400 - £600
Auction: 17 September 2024 from 10:00 BST
Description
of circular outline, the matrix engraved with the coat of arms and motto ‘SI JE N'ESTOY' surmounted by ‘S.ALANI CURWEN’, to a hinged hemi-spherical flange to the reverse
Dimensions
5cm diameter, 5.2oz
Provenance
The Matrix Collection
Footnote
The Curwen family have held land in the North of England specifically Cumbria since the 13th century.
As Lords of the Manor of Workington, they were heavily invested in protecting the Scottish/ English border making sure that they were on the winning side of each conflict. Furthermore, the Manor of Workington itself acted as a stronghold with Mary Queen of Scots seeking solace there in 1568.
Perhaps the most significant member of the Curwen family is John Christian Curwen (1756–1828), his impact on the social reforms and agricultural developments have been well documented and respected. Curwen married the heiress Isabella Curwen, the daughter of the colliery owner Henry Curwen of Workington Hall and added her name to his. Curwen was elected a Member of Parliament for Carlisle and sat as a Whig. He had strong radical views, opposing the aristocracy, and was in favour of political reform. In the 1820s he also entered the House of Keys where he opposed the Duke of Atholl's claims on the Isle of Man.
This seal dated 1906 adds to the rich family history of this family. It was commissioned for Alan De Lancy Curwen, the youngest of six children. His elder brother had died in 1891, Constantinople, Turkey age 26 years and this seal may have been to commemorate his unexpected inheritance.
In 2022 Sotheby's offered Lots 44-50 ‘Property from the Curwen collections at Workington Hall, Ewanrigg Hall and Belle Isle, Cumbria’ within their Royal & Noble sale, but this seal was not part of this collection.
