New images: Marci letter wax

[proto57]

Yes, I read it as three bells with a cross at the top. This is a common motif in early-modern paper. And yes, it's true that for the most part both Briquet and Piccard are pre-1600 so unlikely to find a match there.

Lisa... thank you for examining the Marci letter, and especially for sharing the watermark. I echo Rene's surprise that there WAS a watermark, and it also surprised me that no previous mention was made of it. I have long wanted to examine this letter, and on my list of "to do's" were the chains and lines measurements, accurate overall measurement, macro photograph of the seals, among other things... and also, looking for a watermark, which I in no way would have expected to find.

As for identifying the watermark, it could be three bells, but I favor the possibility it is actually three hats, with tassels. I don't think the hanging items are bell clappers, as they hang down too far. So I shifted to looking through the various books and other internet sources for that possibility.

   

Apparently, hats with tassels are "a thing", known as "tre cappelli". From You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.:

"The watermark features a motif of three brimmed hats with cords hanging down. A popular mark among Italian papermakers of the late 17th through early 19th centuries, the mark is also known as tre cappelli, Italian for "three hats."

"In fact, a number of different three hats marks are known, featuring hats of varying designs and styles. The form of hat tends to reflect the influences of the region of origin, from clerical hats with cords to tall hats with feathers in Austrian style."

From Google AI:

"A watermark of three hats with tassels, known as tre cappelli, was a popular mark used by Italian papermakers from the late 17th through the early 19th centuries.
 
- Tre cappelli watermark

"Description: This mark features a motif of three brimmed hats with cords or tassels hanging down.
Origin: It originated with Italian papermakers and was frequently used during the 17th and 18th centuries."

I haven't yet found this one, but maybe I will, or someone else here will find it, if this is the correct interpretation.

EDIT TO ADD: I found this one, which is really close... I think it shows that the Marci watermark may actually be three hats, with brims and tassels:

   

From: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.