A splendidly ornate antique French fob/seal featuring a chalcedony bloodstone in a rolled gold (gold cased) setting. Sold with a modern gold-plated chain. 
 
In the 17th and 18th centuries, watch fobs and seals were used to secure the end of a pocket watch and seal documents, but from the mid 19th century, they became purely decorative. While some might be engraved with the wearer’s initials or family crest to use as a seal, many just contained a hardstone or gemstone without engraving. The setting might be very ornate with a lot of rococo flourishes. The size of decorative fobs varied, although most were about 3 to 4cms high. Many show extraordinary detail in design, engraving and embossing.
 
MATERIAL:
Bloodstone, Gold, Brass
 
AGE: 
1700s
 
CONDITION: 
Very good – surface wear commensurate with age and use
 
SIZE: 
H 3 cm
W 1.5 cm
 
WEIGHT:
5.57 g
 
Please read descriptions and inspect photos carefully, paying careful attention to size and weight. Due to the age of antique and vintage jewelry, minor abrasions and wear of finishes is normal and appreciated. All items have been tested to be in working/usable condition, unless otherwise stated. Please take care to understand safe cleaning methods for each type of gem and metal. Jewelry pieces are carefully wrapped and shipped in an elegant black box. Antique boxes in photos are for illustrative purposes only.