Lot 165
THE 5TH DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH & 7TH DUKE OF QUEENSBURY (1806-1884) DESK SEAL
A 19TH CENTURY CITIRNE AND BLOODSTONE DESK SEAL
Auction: 16 September 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
The facetted topaz handle of tapered form, to a pierced gold collar, the bloodstone matrix of quatrefoil outline, engraved with the arms of Crofts, Montagu, Scott and Douglas
Dimensions
7cm overall, 0.8cm (matrix)
Footnote
Heraldry:
Arms:
1)
Quarterly 1st and 4th France and England quarterly 2nd Scotland and 3rd Ireland the whole debruised by a baton sinister (King Charles II (for Crofts)
2)
Quarterly 1st and 4th Argent three lozenges conjoined in fess gules a bordure sable (for Montagu) 2nd and 3rd Or an eagle displayed vert beaked and membered gules (for Monthermer)
3) Or on a bend azure a mullet of six points between two crescents of the field (for Scott)
4) Quarterly 1st and 4th argent a human heart gules crowned with an Imperial crown or and on a chief azure three mullets of the field (for Douglas) 2nd and 3rd azure a bend between six cross crosslets fitchy or (for Mar) the whole of this quarter within a bordure or charged with a double tressure of Scotland gules Crest: A stag trippant proper attired and unguled or (for Scott)
Note:
These four arms reflect those borne by the family of Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the Dukes of Buccleuch at the time of its engraving. Although there are no incidents of peerage (i.e. a coronet of rank) upon the matrix there is a presumption that it may have been in the possession of one of the dukes during the 19th Century. One leading candidate could be Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and the 7th Duke of Queensbury (born 25th November 1806 died 16th April 1884). He succeeded his father in these dukedoms, together with the minor peerages on the 20th April 1819.
For a similar shaped seal please see The Royal Collection, RCIN 4236, which is a facetted citrine handle with a quatrefoil shaped matrix