A GROUP OF FOUR ANTIQUE FOB SEALS

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FOB SEALS Fashionable gentlemen of the early 19th century wore fob seals suspended from a watch chain, connected to their waistcoats. These small stamps were of chased gold in the form of animal, seashell or floral motifs. Usually set with amethyst, bloodstone, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, or smoky quartz, the seals were engraved with the family crest or coat of arms. The stamps were used to seal documents closed with wax, an effective means of maintaining privacy through the mail. Also popular were seals set within swiveling mountings which allowed the wearer to carry two or more different seals on one fob. Often, ladies wore miniature fobs, the chased gold mount enhanced by multicolored gold flowers or butterflies, the seals with tiny unicorn, flower or honeybee designs. These would be affixed to a chatelaine or watch chain with other fobs such as a retractable pencil, an aidé-memoire or lorgnette.

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A GROUP OF FOUR ANTIQUE FOB SEALS
Comprising three fob seals, each chased gold mount with hunting dog and bird motifs, the carnelian seals engraved with coats of arms; and a fourth seal, the chased gold mount with flower and leaf motifs, the faceted citrine seal engraved with a coat of arms, (citrine seal illustrated), circa 1830 (4)

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This lot is offered without reserve. This lot is exempt from Sales Tax.

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Please note that the illustration for this lot has been misnumbered

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