An exceptional, mother-of-pearl spinning fob seal with a generous 9ct yellow gold decorative frame.
This Regency-era fob is a rare and beautiful thing. We have a large, well weighted ball/orb expertly veneered with individual panels of mother of pearl, the central pieces of which feature a repetitive sun/eye/flower seal design. The craftsmanship on display in the creation of the perfect sphere from separate pieces of hand-cut mother of pearl is exquisite.
The spinning orb is then set on a generous 9ct gold frame with a decorative scrolling design and finished with a substantial bale.
Curator’s Note - Why We Chose This Piece for our Collection
This fob has an elegant, feminine style that’s almost ethereal and was likely to have been a specially commissioned piece. It would have been worn on a lady’s Albertina or muff guard chain. You can imagine the pearlescent floral panels of the orb catching the light of a candle or oil lamp beautifully. It’s a sturdy piece that could well have been used to finish correspondence with a traditional wax seal, adding a particularly decorative flourish to a letter or note from a noble Regency-era lady. Very Jane Austen.
Details:
Hallmarks: Marked ‘9ct’ on the frame and tests as 9ct gold.
Date: Regency period circa 1815
Weight and size: Approx 6cm in length from the top of the bale to the base of the fob.
Condition: This piece is in incredibly good condition. Its condition is a testament to the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.
An exceptional, mother-of-pearl spinning fob seal with a generous 9ct yellow gold decorative frame.
This Regency-era fob is a rare and beautiful thing. We have a large, well weighted ball/orb expertly veneered with individual panels of mother of pearl, the central pieces of which feature a repetitive sun/eye/flower seal design. The craftsmanship on display in the creation of the perfect sphere from separate pieces of hand-cut mother of pearl is exquisite.
The spinning orb is then set on a generous 9ct gold frame with a decorative scrolling design and finished with a substantial bale.
Curator’s Note - Why We Chose This Piece for our Collection
This fob has an elegant, feminine style that’s almost ethereal and was likely to have been a specially commissioned piece. It would have been worn on a lady’s Albertina or muff guard chain. You can imagine the pearlescent floral panels of the orb catching the light of a candle or oil lamp beautifully. It’s a sturdy piece that could well have been used to finish correspondence with a traditional wax seal, adding a particularly decorative flourish to a letter or note from a noble Regency-era lady. Very Jane Austen.
Details:
Hallmarks: Marked ‘9ct’ on the frame and tests as 9ct gold.
Date: Regency period circa 1815
Weight and size: Approx 6cm in length from the top of the bale to the base of the fob.
Condition: This piece is in incredibly good condition. Its condition is a testament to the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.
