Wear a virtuous lion wax seal pendant necklace, a symbol of courage. This lion is standing above a banner which reads, in Latin, VIRTUS MILLE SCUTA which translates VIRTUE IS AS GOOD AS A THOUSAND SHIELDS or VIRTUE EQUALS A THOUSAND SHIELDS.

Lovely inspirational wax seal jewelry that originally belonged to a Baron, Howard of Effingham.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." ~ Anais Nin

- symbolism -
In heraldry, the lion is symbolic of bravery, strength, valor, and royalty. It’s a common charge in heraldry and this lion is a lion statant guardant with all four feet on the ground. The word VIRTUS in the motto encompasses the sense of moral virtue, but also physical prowess, resourcefulness, bravery and more.

- approximate measurement - 3/4” (20mm)
- wax seal charm metal - sterling silver (.925 recycled silver)
- photographed with an old US dime for scale
- chain - a sterling silver cable chain with a spring ring clasp
- select the necklace chain length or just the charm at checkout

Hand crafted from a rare 19th century desk wax seal that through extensive research, I have learned that this motto was originally owned and used by 2 family names: Howard, Dayrel and specifically, that this antique wax seal was originally owned by Howard of Effingham, a Baron, and is described as: on a chapeau, turned up, a lion statant, gardant, (tail extended), or, gorged with a ducal coronet. It is Plate 7, crest 14 in Fairbairns Crests.

Impressed with history!