Unknown, Seal piston with the 'Bosak' coat of arms of Julia Hauke Duchess of Battenberg, 1850s.

bone, crystal, gold plated silver
Dimensions: plunger: 30 x 24 mm
handle: 10 cm high
Seal piston with the Bosak coat of arms granted in 1826 to the Warsaw Hauke family. From this family came, among others, General Maurycy Hauke (1775-1830) Minister of War of the Kingdom of Poland. In his daughter Julia (1825-1895) fell in love with the Prince of Hesse, Alexander Duke of Hessen (1823-1888) an outstanding numismatist. He was a Russian general at the time, as his sister Maria was the wife of Tsar Alexander II. Prince Alexander opposed the whole family (he could only marry a princess) and forced the wedding, however, relinquishing his right to the throne. The couple's private wedding took place in Breslau in 1852. Their descendants bore the surnames Battenberg and Mountbatten.
The offered seal piston is diametrically opposed to the seals of the aristocracy of that era. The Warsaw Hauke family consisted of teachers, clerks and officers, who did not order such expensive seals.
Due to its fine handle and ornamentation, as well as the delicacy of its design, it can be considered a ladies' seal piston. On the other hand, its expensive workmanship and the addition of more than a dozen gemstones are incomparable to other objects. The richness of the details indicates a Russian workshop; after all, Julia Hauke lived as a lady of the court of the Tsarina in St. Petersburg. Thus, it is a gift from the Prince of Hesse to the young Julia Hauke. Her descendants include King Juan Carlos of Spain and Charles the heir to the throne of Great Britain.
Materials used: rock crystal, silver gilded with natural emeralds, rubies and quartz.