original seal

seal reversed for legibility

An Islamicized gold seal ring of a (Hindu) raja of the Nayaka family, South India, 1808

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?intObjectID=2729811&SE=CMWCAT01+72851+206700766+&QR=M+1+9+Aqc0000900+72319++Aqc0000900+&entry=islamic&RQ=True&AN=10
(downloaded Sept. 2001)

"An antique gold personal seal ring of an Indian Nobleman. Dated 1808. The rectangular heavy gold ring with a finely chased inscription to the front bearing the name of a Raja of the Nayaka family, dated AH1223 (1808AD), with bevelled border, plain reverse and ridged hoop. The Nayaka family was one of the ruling dynasties of Southern India."

original seal

seal reversed for legibility

A Hindu nobleman's Islamicized seal, boasting of a British title (1827/8)

Source: ebay, Sept. 2004

"Personal unmounted Carnelian agate wax seal of "Sir Shri Dev ji Sahaye Shayam Lal" - a nobleman from British India era, which is dated 1243 Al Hijri. It is very unusual and a rarity  for Islamic lunar calender date to be used by a Hindu nobleman on his wax seal."

original seal

seal reversed for legibility

Another instance of cultural complexities: a seal from 1850

Source: ebay, Apr. 2002

"A very tiny {i.e:1 x 1 inch } and extremely rare wax seal in Nasta'aliq persian script on Agate/Carnelean Stone of a Hindu nobleman "Kidar Nath" from India. This seal is engraved with intricately designed floral patterns and dated 1850 A.D. This personal seal is unusual because it is dated in Georgian Calender instead of customery in Al-Hijri Calender."

A bronze letter carrier, c.late 1700's, early 1800's: formal sealed messages were often rolled into scrolls and inserted into a carrier like this for conveyance

Source: ebay, June 2007