101. The Future of Wax Seals: Art, Ritual, and a Living Tradition

In this companion to last week’s episode on the future of letter writing, artist and host Kathryn Hastings turns her attention to the luminous world of wax seals—objects that bridge the sacred and the everyday. From their ancient origins in Mesopotamia to their elevation as fine art in our time, Kathryn explores how wax seals have evolved from tools of authentication to talismans of beauty, symbolism, and personal ritual.

This episode traces the trajectory of seals across history while imagining a future shaped by innovation, sustainability, and deeper artistic expression. Kathryn shares her vision for a world where wax seals are not only collected and traded like heirlooms (idea from @at_thefurnace https://www.instagram.com/at_thefurnace ) but used as instruments of ceremony, storytelling, and creative awakening. She highlights the rise of a global community of seal artists and engravers, including names like Detelina Cameo and Olithica, and reflects on the democratization of what was once reserved for aristocracy.

Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just wax-curious, this episode is a meditation on what it means to create something that might outlast us—and to pass it on with intention.