Wax seals, from antiquity to the present day

Why are wax seals still so fascinating today?

Since ancient times, wax seals have been used to seal letters and important documents, as well as personal objects. They were first made of clay, ivory or stone, before materials and techniques evolved over time.

In the Middle Ages, kings and lords used wax seals to authenticate charters and official acts. Engraved with religious symbols or coats of arms, they were, at the time, made from beeswax or deer wax.

They guaranteed the authenticity of documents and were also used to mark prestigious and valuable objects such as jewelry and vases, indicating their quality and origin.

Today, wax seals are mainly used to personalize everyday objects such as notebooks, diaries, invitation cards and announcements, which continue to inspire admiration.

Credits: @calligraphybypriyansh | @jacquesherbin.official | @kathrynhastingsco | @letteringbuff | @plumecalligraphy | @artisaire | @papiradesign | Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon