Lot 176
THE WYNDHAM, EARLS OF EGREMONT FOB SEAL
AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY STEEL FOB SEAL
Auction: 16 September 2025 from 10:00 BST
Description
The moulded scroll handle, to a stepped integral matrix of oval outline, engraved with the arms of Wyndham quartering Hopton for the Earls of Egremont
Dimensions
3.5cm overall, 2.7cm x 2.5cm (matrix)
Provenance
The Matrix Collection
Footnote
The last of the Earls of Egremont was George Francis Wyndham, (1785-1845) the 4th Earl of Egremont
Heraldry:
Arms: Quarterly 1st and 4th Azure a chevron between three lions’ heads erased or (for Wyndham) 2nd and 3rd Ermine two bars sable each charged with three mullets or (for Hopton)
The arms are ensigned with an earl’s coronet.
Supporters: (Dexter) A lion azure langued gules wings inverted or
(Sinister) A griffin argent gutty de sang
Motto: Au bon droit [With good right]
Given the presumed date of this seal fob or signet the leading candidate for its ownership is Sir George O’Brien Wyndham (born 18th December 1751 died 11th November 1837), the 3rd Earl of Egremont. He was the eldest son of Sir Charles Wyndham, the 2nd Earl of Egremont and his wife, The Honourable Alicia Maria Carpenter. George served Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum and Vice Admiral of the County of Sussex wherein his principal seat of Petworth House is located. He eventually married his mistress, Elizabeth Llive (or Iliffe) (born circa 1769 died 30th December 1822) after having given him seven illegitimate children and one legitimate daughter, Lady Elizabeth Wyndham who died in infancy in 1803. Soon after their daughter’s death, Elizabeth separated from George and lived the remainder of her life in London. George was noted to have had some fifteen mistresses during his lifetime by whom it is said he had fathered over forty illegitimate children!
He succeeded his father as the 3rd Earl of Egremont in 1763 at the age of twelve.
George was also elected as a Fellow of The Royal Society and as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.