Wax Seals And Sealing Wax Fun

[kiavonne]

starting simple

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/waxseals02.jpg

 

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/waxseals03.jpg

 

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/waxseals04.jpg

 

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/waxseals01.jpg

[kiavonne]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/seals03.jpg

 

Can you give me more info on that.... lamp? candle? Whatever it is, it's very cool!

 

 

kiavonne, your candle stand is the bomb. I have seen pics in antique catalogs but did not know anyone who owned one!

 

 

Thanks, Brad and Joi!

 

The "lamp" is actually what is called a wax jack. The true sole purpose of this piece is to be lit in order to heat up a block or piece of sealing wax. Yup. It was/is used to melt sealing wax. Some think the wax on the spindle is the sealing wax, and then the stand would be tipped to drip the wax onto the document. This is not the case. The wax on the spindle has a braided cotton wick, and it burns only long enough to heat a piece of wax for applying to the document. The top cup or tray catches the small amount of the wax melted from the spindle wax. Many wax jacks have a bottom tray, sort of like a chamberstick, and with a finger and thumb ring to carry it. The bottom tray would catch errant drips of the sealing wax, and also be a place to place one's seal for the ready. Wax jacks did not put out enough light to be a light source. There is another light on in the room in which I took my photo. The wax jack dates back to the 17th century. So does the recipe for J.Herbin's traditional, breakable sealing wax (without wicks). I have an iron wax jack that dates to the late 17th century in my collection. The one in my picture above is Mexican pewter, and dates around the early 1900's. It is the least expensive of my pieces (I got it for a flea market price you would not believe), and was more or less a reproduction of the silver and silver plated wax jacks popular at the time.

 

There are now "coil candles" on the market today, which emulate the style of the wax jack. Push up so much of the coil into the holder and the novelty candle will put itself out once it reaches the holder. If one wanted, they probably could use one of these novelty candles as a wax jack, as the original design intended, but the modern ones are huge and the wax is triple in thickness to the originals. Yeah, I have one, just for the sake of it, lol.

 

Here is a picture of a few of my wax jacks. Note that someone (not me, was sold this way) tried to replace the original wax coil on the brass jack with a modern wax candle coil. Doesn't work, does not fit at all. I may have to make my own wax coil to fit the jack properly.

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Jacks/My%20Wax%20Jacks/MyWaxJacks.jpg

 

 

And then a picture showing the modern novelty coil candle in comparison.

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Jacks/My%20Wax%20Jacks/novelty2.jpg

 

[kiavonne]

Dexter seal

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/DexterSealManticore.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/337.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/342.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/350.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/370.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/355.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/396.jpg

[kiavonne]

Dexter seal

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/DexterSealCentaur.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UC2a.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UC2b.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UC2c.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UC2d.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UC2f.jpg

[kiavonne]

Dexter seal pendant

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_00.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_01.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_02.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_03.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_06.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_04.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_05.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/pendant_seal_08.jpg

 

(shows up great on red wax, I was in a hurry with this impression on the green)

Edited January 15, 2012 by kiavonne

[kiavonne]

Dexter seal

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/Rodgers_coat_of_arms.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UCArms0.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/arms.jpg

Edited January 15, 2012 by kiavonne

[kiavonne]

Newest additions:

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/04.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/05.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/07.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/08.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/10.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/11.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/12.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/14.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/16.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/17.jpg

[lanacre]

Wow fascinating. Thanks for the lesson.

 

Regards,

 

Keith

[alvarez57]

Oh my gosh how beautiful! Waaaaay long ago I used to do wax sealing...but I don't snail mail any more....

 

Thanks for sharing!

[kcoen52]

Very cool! I am definitely looking about getting into wax seals! This doesn't help...

[el.Fakir]

Dexter seal

 

(images clipped)

 

Very nice seals. So you were not kidding when you said "Dexter is the Rolls Royce of seals." They look really elaborate. As soon as I can decide on a design I'm definetely getting one. Thank you for posting your collection.

[Sparafucile]

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/My%20Other%20Seals/17.jpg

 

I love the cat seals - they are really lovely! Is that an original design? If yes, did you draw it in Illustrator? Thanks!

[lanacre]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6839718160_828cba8d70_d.jpgNot as good as Kiavonne's but a start.

 

 

[rudyhou]

very nice collection. mine is not near as fancy. and very different from a conventional and a vintage look of a regular wax seal. i use a chinese stone name stamp with a chinese character carved on it and use that as my wax seal instead.

[Nic13]

all very nice looking seals! I want to get one but I just don't really know how to start designing one or picking one out, any thoughts or ideas?

[SamCapote]

It was a long wait since I placed my order in early November, but I received the final result this week from Dexters, after following kiavonne's recommendation in many threads such as the long running "Show us your seals here." I was always blown away by Edgar Allan Bo's sailing ship seal in red wax also at that link.

 

Having a personal connection here locally to the U.S. Coast Guard's Eagle, I asked Dexter if they could make a seal from this photo, for my own personal use. I knew the detail of the photo was way beyond what could be made, but this was my starting point.

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Originals.jpg

I worked with Kate & Simon at Dexter's, who are absolutely wonderful and responsive people. Had one proof that I made some changes on (with kiavonne's help), and the second proof looked perfect. I intentionally lowered my expectations because I know there is a limit of how much detail can be deep carved onto a small metal seal, vs. a photograph.

 

When I opened the two boxes, and first looked at the seal, I was stunned at the quality, but was not quite sure how to "read" the details in the 3 dimensional reverse relief metal. Then I opened the second box and saw the actual seal in wax that Dexter made from this actual stamp. I could not believe my eyes. I still cannot believe what I have in front of me after two days. This is like magic, and so beautiful in person that it brings tears to my eyes at the accomplishment it represents. They used a white wax, and coated the seal with smoke-soot from a paraffin lamp to give the contrast you see.

 

I took an overview photo, and then used my cell phone macro lens to show the close up detail that goes even beyond what you can see with normal vision. (These are clickable thumbnails)

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seals.jpg

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seal1s.jpg

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seal2s.jpg

 

 

I will do some other impressions of my own in various wax colors, but to be able to clearly read the letters on the side of the ship just blows my mind. I did not think about it with the proof, but assuming the wind is behind the ship, filling her sails, Dexter even made sure the waves were breaking over in the right direction if the wind had been coming from the right/behind the ship! It's just unbelievable seeing it in person.

 

Also, curious about the smoke technique, I just took a pinch of cotton from an ordinary cotton ball, put about 3-4 drops of 3-in-1 household oil on it, and lit it while on a stone outside. That little bit of cotton and oil gave off plenty of nice, dark smoke on this Ebay stamp, which I just waved back and forth over the smoke trails until it was all well covered. Then I set it aside, got the wax ready, and pressed it into some ivory colored wax. It's a great accent effect, and easily, completely washes off stamp with dish soap and water.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/smokes.jpg

Wait until some people get an envelope with this Eagle seal on it.

Edited March 30, 2012 by SamCapote

[lanacre]

Staggered, absolutely fantastic !

[rudyhou]

It was a long wait since I placed my order in early November, but I received the final result this week from Dexters, after following kiavonne's recommendation in many threads such as the long running "Show us your seals here." I was always blown away by Edgar Allan Bo's sailing ship seal in red wax also at that link.

 

Having a personal connection here locally to the U.S. Coast Guard's Eagle, I asked Dexter if they could make a seal from this photo, for my own personal use. I knew the detail of the photo was way beyond what could be made, but this was my starting point.

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Originals.jpg

I worked with Kate & Simon at Dexter's, who are absolutely wonderful and responsive people. Had one proof that I made some changes on (with kiavonne's help), and the second proof looked perfect. I intentionally lowered my expectations because I know there is a limit of how much detail can be deep carved onto a small metal seal, vs. a photograph.

 

When I opened the two boxes, and first looked at the seal, I was stunned at the quality, but was not quite sure how to "read" the details in the 3 dimensional reverse relief metal. Then I opened the second box and saw the actual seal in wax that Dexter made from this actual stamp. I could not believe my eyes. I still cannot believe what I have in front of me after two days. This is like magic, and so beautiful in person that it brings tears to my eyes at the accomplishment it represents. They used a white wax, and coated the seal with smoke-soot from a paraffin lamp to give the contrast you see.

 

I took an overview photo, and then used my cell phone macro lens to show the close up detail that goes even beyond what you can see with normal vision. (These are clickable thumbnails)

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seals.jpg

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seal1s.jpg

 

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/Eagle-Seal2s.jpg

 

 

I will do some other impressions of my own in various wax colors, but to be able to clearly read the letters on the side of the ship just blows my mind. I did not think about it with the proof, but assuming the wind is behind the ship, filling her sails, Dexter even made sure the waves were breaking over in the right direction if the wind had been coming from the right/behind the ship! It's just unbelievable seeing it in person.

 

Also, curious about the smoke technique, I just took a pinch of cotton from an ordinary cotton ball, put about 3-4 drops of 3-in-1 household oil on it, and lit it while on a stone outside. That little bit of cotton and oil gave off plenty of nice, dark smoke on this Ebay stamp, which I just waved back and forth over the smoke trails until it was all well covered. Then I set it aside, got the wax ready, and pressed it into some ivory colored wax. It's a great accent effect, and easily, completely washes off stamp with dish soap and water.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/pike444/smokes.jpg

Wait until some people get an envelope with this Eagle seal on it.

 

 

amazing details on the engravings. which i find the same in quality for all of the dexter made seals posted on this thread.

 

 

[joelchan]

very NICE seals !!!

Edited April 27, 2012 by joelchan

[kiavonne]

Well, here is my latest. There isn't much more I can say about Dexter seals that hasn't already been said many times (mostly by me, lol). Only two more to go in this series, but it will probably take me a couple more years. Then, I should be done. Should be. (yeah, right)

 

Dexter Rings and Seals

 

 

The UC Dragon:

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/dragonpassant.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UCDragon7.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UCDragon1.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UCDragon.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Wax%20Seals/Dexter%20Seals/UCDragon6.jpg