177 Imperial Austria: Important Seal of Empress Maria Theresa (1717-1780).
This is the finely cut original made of heavy metal that was used for the wax seals of important documents and armorial letters.
In the centre, depiction of the Empress with the Hungarian crown of Saint Stephen sitting on a throne against an architectural background. Above it the Austrian imperial coat of arms. The whole surrounded by the crowned coats of arms of the most important countries of the empress. With the inscription surrounded by a laurel wreath:
"MARIA THERESIA D.G:R: ROM: IMPERATRIX GERMANIAE HUNGRIAE BOHEM: DALM: CROAT: SCIANV: GALLIT: LODOM: BOSN: SERV: CUMAN: BULGAR: & REGINA APOSTOL."
In the architectural background artist's signature: "A: W: DEMAN".
Diameter: 136 mm.
Provenance: Sothebys, Auction Victor, Lot 356 (4.4.91).
Important seal stamp of the greatest rarity.