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Title: Genuine 16th-Century Imperial Red Wax Seal – Emperor Maximilian II (Holy Roman Empire, r. 1564–1576)🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ACCOMPANYING COA / sale RECORD:This rare piece comes with an older Certificate of Authenticity from RR sale (formerly R&R Enterprises, Catalog 303, Item #326).Please note a significant historical error on the sale paperwork: The original cataloger accurately described this exact physical seal (matching the 5.5" dimensions, condition, and double-headed eagle design), but mistakenly attributed the dates and history to the 19th-century King Maximilian II of Bavaria (1848–1864).As outlined below, our detailed translation of the permanent Latin text and heraldry confirms beyond any doubt that this artifact is much older and far rarer—dating to the 16th-century Holy Roman Empire. The COA is included as an authentic provenance record of its past sale history, despite the researcher's administrative error.✨ ARTIFACT HISTORY & HERALDRY DETAILS
This is a spectacular, museum-grade chancellery seal belonging to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II of the legendary House of Habsburg, who ruled from 1564 to 1576.The Inscription: Clear and highly legible along the border, the Latin rim inscription reads:MAXIMILIANVS SECVNDVS DIVINA FAVENTE CLEMENTIA ELECTVS ROMANORVM IMPERATOR SEMPER AVGVSTVS AC GERMANIAE HVNGARIAE BOHEMIAE...(Translated: "Maximilian the Second, by divine favoring clemency elected Emperor of the Romans, ever August, and of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia...")The Crest: Struck deeply into the wax is the quintessential crowned double-headed eagle emblem of the Holy Roman Empire.The Shield Layout: Superimposed on the eagle is the complex multi-quartered shield of the Habsburg domains, showcasing the Arpad bars of Hungary, the rampant lion of Bohemia, the castle of Castile, the lion of León, and the central heart shield of Austria.
📦 CONDITION REPORT
The red wax matrix is exceptionally crisp with marvelous high-relief detail. The wax remains nested within its original light-tan/buff parchment protective casing wrapper, exactly as it was carefully excised from a state decree centuries ago. There are typical age-related cracks, minor stabilization darkening, and a small fragment loss on the bottom right edge of the outer wax border (fully visible in photos). No modern restorations.🛡️ SELLER DISCLAIMER & GOOD FAITH NOTICE
Please note that this item is being offered for sale to the best of our knowledge, research, and belief. We are not certified antiquarians, but we have performed exhaustive due diligence translating the Latin inscriptions and auditing the heraldry to ensure the accuracy of this listing. We encourage all prospective buyers and specialists to review the high-resolution photos carefully prior to purchasing or submitting an offer.
