This seal is an intaglio portrait, exquisitely and deeply carved, of the young Emperor Hadrian, bearded, in his toga, and with a laurel wreath about his crown.
 
“HADRIANVS” is carved along the side. Hadrian became Roman Emperor at the death of Trajan, in 117 AD. He is known as one of the “Five Good Emperors” along with Nerva, Trajan, and the two Antonines. Hadrian toured his empire for eleven years, and built the famous “Hadrian’s Wall” at the northernmost part of his empire (in northern England) to keep Roman Britain safe from the hostile northern “barbarians.”
 
Note: because of the extreme depth of this seal, it requires a lot of wax per impression.
 
This seal is a jewelry-quality casting in bronze from the original seal, gold plated over the bronze.  The wood handle is turned in durable black walnut, lightly finished.
 
The original seal is an antique from the Victorian era (nineteenth century); engraved in rich, ruby red Tasse Glass.
 
Seal Face is oval, about  3/4" x 1 3/16"  (1.4 x 3 cm)
Height, from face to top of handle: 4 in (10 cm)