Wax seal necklace with broken tree, Aesop fable Oak and Reeds and motto "Better Bend Than Break". Antique wax seal jewelry in silver.
The words framing this piece reads in French:
Mieux Vaut Rompre Que Plier
(better to bend than to break)
The ancient Aesop childhood fable "the Oak and the Reeds".
Adapt and survive.
Better to give a little when it is folly to resist,
than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.
Sometimes you have to stoop to conquer.
Note:
* size of charm is about 15mm across
* this listing is for one charm and an 18 inch delicate sterling silver chain
* gift packaged
* card with translation and description is included
The wax seal used in creating this charm dates back to the 1840’s, an authentic antique wax seal from the Napoleon III of France era.
The wax seals are made by hand in Myrtle Beach, SC by RQP Studio
This wax seal charm is made of fine silver .999 (which is 99.9% pure silver), and a 18" sterling silver chain is included (sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver). Please note that the patina on the wax seal charm has been through a oxidization process to give it a antique, vintage look. The antique seal has been pressed into the silver by hand, and this gives each and every wax seal pendant a unique look. The wax seal charms are hallmarked on the back with the RQP logo stamp and a silver content stamp (.999) to show that the silver content is 99.9% pure silver.
The wax seal necklace you will receive is similar to the ones in the pictures.
Helpful Hints:
* Some of the images (above) of the wax seal necklaces have been photographed close-up. If you have a hard time imagining the size of the charms, then it can be helpful to physically draw the dimensions of the wax seal charm on a piece of paper.
*You can type in the words "mm to in" into Google's search box, that will give you a quick converter if you prefer the dimensions measured in inches.
The Aesop fable:
A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some slender Reeds. When the wind blew, the great Oak stood proudly upright with its hundred arms uplifted to the sky. But the Reeds bowed low in the wind and sang a sad and mournful song.
"You have reason to complain," said the Oak. "The slightest breeze that ruffles the surface of the water makes you bow your heads, while I, the mighty Oak, stand upright and firm before the howling tempest."
"Do not worry about us," replied the Reeds. "The winds do not harm us. We bend and so we do not break. You, in all your pride and strength, have so far resisted their blows. But the end is coming."
As the Reeds spoke a great hurricane rushed out of the north. The Oak stood proudly and fought against the storm, while the yielding Reeds bowed low. The wind redoubled in fury, broke a large branch, and then, all at once the great tree fell, torn up by the roots, and lay among the pitying Reeds.