This is an original 18th century wax seal by the queen of London Silversmiths: Hester Bateman. Wax seals were a traditional part of any well-appointed Georgian gentleman’s secretarial desk and were used to seal letters with their personal insignia. The cursive HB hallmark indicates production between 1761 and 1790 and the fob/handle portion is similar in design to other known Hester Bateman seals. The last photo is the impression that this particular seal makes in melted was showing the owner's initials and a peacock at the bottom. 

Please review all photos and note condition as they are part of the description and show the vintage condition of this item including a slight arc in the fob section. Please ask any questions before bidding as this item is a 200+ year old antique and is sold as-is. From a pet free, smoke free home. 

Hester Needham was born in 1708 in Clerkenwell, London. In 1732 she married John Bateman and John ran a silver workshop. When he died in 1760, Hester — then 52 and unable to read or write — took over the business outright. She registered her first maker's mark, the cursive script "HB", at Goldsmiths' Hall on 16 April 1761 and retired in 1790.