A Historically Significant Late Victorian 9ct Gold and Carne...

Hammer

£270

A Historically Significant Late Victorian 9ct Gold and Carnelian Heraldic Fob Seal
A substantial and meticulously preserved gentleman’s watch fob seal, dating to the late Victorian period.
The ornately hand-crafted frame and handle are composed of scrolled, openwork arches forming a structured suspension loop, all set above a rectangular, scalloped base of highly polished carnelian chalcedony. The carnelian matrix is deeply and precisely intaglio-engraved with a full heraldic shield, parted per pale indented, featuring a prominent lion rampant to the sinister half. This specific heraldic blazon points to the ownership of a branch of the Powell or Pole families of Britain and Wales, who were prominent landowners and figures of the era.

Maker: Unattributed

Origin: United Kingdom

Material: 9ct Yellow Gold (Tested), Carnelian

Period: Circa 1880

Dimensions: Approximately 28mm height

Weight: 6.4 Grams

Condition: Excellent antique condition; the gold frame shows no significant wear or loss, and the carnelian intaglio is remarkably crisp, suggesting it was rarely used.

Auctioneer's Note: The identification of a specific heraldic line (Powell/Pole) significantly elevates this piece from a simple accessory to a historically verifiable artifact, appealing strongly to serious collectors of armorial and seal-related items.