Help needed pls to identify origins of wax seal

[IanGilb]

I have an antique oil painting with no artists signature but has a wax seal on back of canvas, can anyone please help me identify this Shield? Many thanks

[Treetotal]

Hi Ian and welcome to Rootschat...what part of the country was the painting from and what does it depict?...this could be a Family seal which might be difficult to identify. I didn't find a google image match for it.
Carol

[IanGilb]

Hi thanks for your reply, the painting is called 'The Violinist' and was originally attributed to Raphael. I have consulted a fine art specialist who thinks this may be a victorian copy, and the wax seal could possibly be the artists, as they would use this method to mend a hole in the canvas, or it could be the stretcher whom stretched the canvas to the frame, or possibly a collector. The painting was given to me by a family friend around 15 years ago, I believe it came from Berkshire. Unfortunately it has sustained some damage by my young niece and nephew and I am trying to ascertain it's provenance to decide if it is viable to restore. I have uploaded a photo of the painting with this post....

[Treetotal]

Oh how lovely  and so worth saving...thanks for sharing...is that the date on the bottom right hand corner?

For those not familiar with Raphael's work;

http://antiqueoilpainting.name/antique_renaissance_violinist_portrait_oil_painting_raphael_old_master_style.html


Carol

[IanGilb]

Thank you very much for your interest, yes the date equates to 1518 in Romania numerals. This has been a roller coaster quest to investigate this painting, the art specialist mistakenly concluded it was a print which was hugely disappointing, he then got a second opinion that proved actually it is an original oil painting. I have spent so many hours of research on the internet trying to decipher the wax seal, but to no avail, quite frustrating! 

[IanGilb]

Sorry 'Roman' numerals - flaming dictionary!

[jess5athome]

Bookmarking for interest 

Frank.

[KGarrad]

Interesting!

The coat-of-arms has 4 separate parts, all impaled (side by side).
It was usual for a wife's arms to be impaled with those of her husband.

Could this be an impalement, impaled by another impalement?!

The 4 parts appear to show:
1. A saltire, with a fleur-de-lys in chief, and a sword in base.
2. A lion rampant, with a fesse over.
3. <can't make this out! maybe a pear?!>
4. 3 lions rampant

The shield is surmounted by a coronet of 4 strawberry-leaves, but I can't find any examples of such a coronet?

[Treetotal]

My apologies to the artist 

Carol