Description
SOLD: UNIQUE silver seal belonging to Charles Gilbert Master CSI (Order of the Star in India) British Raj Mughal Period official seal c1870-1875
This is a very significant and important piece of history from British India that was made for a senior civil servant who first went to India in 1854 aged 21 and became very powerful as he worked his way up the ranks and was awarded the Order of the Star in India (CSI).
This was the personal official seal of Charles Gilbert Master CSI.
It is of an impressive size considering most official seals held by indigenous officials were around one inch in length and quite flat. This seal sits 3.5 inches in height, measures 3 inches across the face and weighs 83g.
This seal comes complete with a card label with old style handwriting describing the inscription on the seal. Also included is an old plaster impression of the seal.
The text reads as follows:
“Charles Master Zamindar (“Landowner”)
[unknown name of village]”
Master moved to India in 1854 and served as Commissioner of Income Tax from 1860 to 1865 and Revenue Secretary to the Madras government from 1877 to 1882, when he was made Chief Secretary.
Master served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1884 to 1889. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Star in India (CSI) in 1887. This rare seal would be from the period 1860-1889 during which time Charles Master held official positions and hence the need for this seal.
Despite being a very important “Servant of Her Majesty Queen Victoria”, it appears that Master was accused of abusing his position as a Civil Servant to acquire land in India for personal business interests! The British Parliament heard allegations of misconduct in office against Master (details available on request).
In very good, clean and undamaged condition apart from some minor blemishes. You can see some red sealing wax remnants in the deep recesses of the incised text.
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More details about his career:
Entered East India Company Madras Civil Service 1854 aged 21
Assistant to Collector and Magistrate Masulipatam 1855
Head Assistant Collector and Magistrate of Guntoor 1856
Deputy Secretary to Government of Madras
Secretary to Board of Examiners and Sub Secretary to Board of Revenue 1859-1866
Returned to England 1866-1869
Acting Collector and Magistrate of Nellore 1869
Collector and Magistrate of Cuddaph 1870
Collector, Magistrate and Agent to the Governor of Ganjam 1871
Acting Revenue Secretary to Government 1874
We have seen several similar silver seals owned by European politicians sell for in excess of £5,000.
Prices are negotiable within reason so please contact us if you wish to discuss an item that is of interest.
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TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE
All items are guaranteed genuine and as described.
A Certificate of Authenticity is provided on request.
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