This collection numbers about 2000 items and includes Russian (1023) and Western European (406) seals. A special group comprises the lead bullae of 13th- to 18th-century popes (37 examples) and 14th- to 18th-century Venetian doges (65 examples). The collection is filled out by heraldic ex libris, drawings, embroidered coats of arms and other heraldic material. The Russian part of the collection is represented by the matrices of seals dating from the 17th to 20th centuries.
The oldest example is the 17th-century seal of the Albazin stockade on the River Amur. A considerable portion of the collection is taken up by Russian personal seals, both metal and carved stone.
Particularly noteworthy is the seal featuring the coat of arms of Alexander Suvorov that was used by the celebrated field marshal himself as well as members of his family, including his distinguished grandson. Of interest too are the seals of Alexander I for Tsarskoye Selo, Nicholas I, Alexander II, Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich (a noted poet of Russia's "Silver Age") and other members of the Romanov family. Among the seals with personal coats of arms mention must be made of the desk seals of high artistic quality that were owned by Baron D.A. Benckendorff. Some of them were produced by the craftsmen of the Faberge company.
The collection is more than just a set of items interesting from a scholarly point of view; it also contains remarkable examples of the work of Russian jewellers and lapidaries.

Seal with the Grand Ducal Coat-of-Arms Julius Rappoport Larger view

Table Seal First quarter of the 19th century Larger view

Seal with the Slepovron Coat-of-Arms
Late 18th-early 19th centuries
Larger view