A desk seal used by Scottish writer and historian Sir Walter Scott is set to go under the hammer at an Edinburgh auction house this week.
The seal, which is reportedly likely to have been used in correspondence to King George IV, is one of just 100 seals with Scottish connections that are set to be sold off.
On Friday, Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull will auction these special seals off, with one expected to fetch up to a whopping £18,000.
READ MORE - Princess Charlotte's five-second 'down to earth' act proves she's family's 'secret weapon'
Sir Walter's personal desk seal from the Abbotsford House in the Borders has been valued by auctioneers as being worth between £12,000 and £18,000.
The hand seal is believed to date back to Sir Walter's knighthood, which took place in 1820. It bears the Scott family memorial, and is set in amethyst, gold and lapis lazuli.
It is believed that the seal was likely used for letters written to King George IV, which helped bring the then-reigning monarch back to Scotland.
This first visit from the monarchy since 1650, back when Charles II stayed in Holyroodhouse, was organised by Sir Walter.
The arrival of King George IV, two years after the Scottish insurrection of 1820, was complete with tartan pageantry, which is said to have helped secure the kilt as the nation's national dress.
The seals are part of the Matrix Collection, which were gathered over several decades by the late David Morris.
Other items in the collection include a unique desk seal in guilt and metal in the shape of an arm dressed in armour and wielding a knife, as well as seal of Archbishop John Spottiswoode, and Lady Mary Douglas Hamilton’s desk seal.
Auctioneer Kier Mulholland said: "This is an exceptional collection of historic and elegant objects.
"David Morris went to great lengths to acquire these significant works, which offer a glimpse into a time when family crests and armorials were of great importance. Perhaps most tantalising is that each piece tells us a different story, which is the reason they were collected by Mr Morris."
During the Middle Ages, wax seals were widely used before the times where letters could be sealed safely with glue.
As well as becoming rather elegant objects to own, the seals also had a practical use by making a unique impression on paper when dipped in hot wax.
Wax seals were used to prove authenticity at the time, and prevent private letters from being opened.
READ NEXT-
All the Edinburgh road closures ahead of Beyonce's Murrayfield concert
Edinburgh pensioner rushed to hospital following two-car crash on major road
Body found in Midlothian river as police lock down busy road and woodland
Edinburgh road closed off after three vehicle collision at busy junction
Neighbourgood Market returns to Stockbridge this summer for fourth year running
