I’d Be A Butterfly Wax Seal

An antique purple paste seal to mimic amethyst depicting a butterfly with overarching motto ‘I’d Be A’, referencing a popular poem of yesteryear

Pretty facet back to catch and reflect the light

Why we love it

This seal references the poem by Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839) hugely popular back in the day but mostly forgotten today.

We’ve tried and we can’t express the powerful sentiment of this seal better than the eponymous poem that was the seal’s inspo. Not surprising really, Emma ain’t no poet afterall, so here it is…..and Emma thinks it is heart achingly beautiful….

‘

I’d be a butterfly born in a bower

I’d be a butterfly born in a bower,

Where roses and lilies and violets meet;

Roving for ever from flower to flower,

Kissing all buds that are pretty and sweet.

I’d never languish for wealth or for power,

I’d never sigh to see slaves at my feet;

I’d be a butterfly born in a bower,

Kissing all buds that are pretty and sweet.

Oh! could I pilfer the wand of a fairy,

I’d have a pair of those beautiful wings.

Their summer day’s ramble is sportive and airy,

They sleep in a rose when the nightingale sings.

Those who have wealth must be watchful and wary,

Power, alas! naught but misery brings;

I’d be a butterfly, sportive and airy,

Rock’d in a rose when the nightingale sings.

What though you tell me each gay little rover

Shrinks from the breath of the first autumn day;

Surely ’t is better, when summer is over,

To die, when all fair things are fading away.

Some in life’s winter may toil to discover

Means of procuring a weary delay:

I’d be a butterfly, living a rover,

Dying when fair things are fading away

Choice of Jewellery

Choice of Metal

Clear

Flown away home.

Make it sing

Additional information

Era	Late Georgian / Early Victorian
Seal material	Antique paste mimicking amethyst
Seal colour	Purple
Seal shape	Round with facet back
Dimensions	12mm diameter, 3mm depth
Condition	Excellent antique condition

What would Emma do?

We’ve priced this piece as our Classic Pendant, dainty ring and signet ring however if you’d like to add some sparkle or custom detail, please do reach out to us and we will tailor a quote for you.

Why not visit our Flown Away Home section for design inspo, or check out our full collection of wax seals.