A wonderfully characterful 19th-century gold-cased fob seal, with an elaborately decorated mount and an engraved stone bearing the French admonition “Ne vous emportez jamais” - “Never lose your temper.”
At the centre of the seal is an armoured arm, bent at the elbow, its gauntleted hand grasping an arrow. The unusual image is surrounded by the French inscription, creating a rather witty little reminder to maintain one’s composure.
Such seals were both practical and intensely personal objects, used to impress wax on correspondence while expressing something of their owner’s character through engraved mottos, emblems and private sentiments. This example is particularly appealing for its combination of decorative gold-cased metalwork, enigmatic imagery and the witty inscription.
A talisman for retaining calm, particularly when circumstances conspire against it.
Date: 19th century
Materials: Gold-cased metal mount, engraved stone seal
Inscription: Ne vous emportez jamais - “Never lose your temper”
Condition: Antique condition, with surface wear and patina commensurate with age. Please refer to the photographs for details as they form part of the description.
A wonderfully characterful 19th-century gold-cased fob seal, with an elaborately decorated mount and an engraved stone bearing the French admonition “Ne vous emportez jamais” - “Never lose your temper.”
At the centre of the seal is an armoured arm, bent at the elbow, its gauntleted hand grasping an arrow. The unusual image is surrounded by the French inscription, creating a rather witty little reminder to maintain one’s composure.
Such seals were both practical and intensely personal objects, used to impress wax on correspondence while expressing something of their owner’s character through engraved mottos, emblems and private sentiments. This example is particularly appealing for its combination of decorative gold-cased metalwork, enigmatic imagery and the witty inscription.
A talisman for retaining calm, particularly when circumstances conspire against it.
Date: 19th century
Materials: Gold-cased metal mount, engraved stone seal
Inscription: Ne vous emportez jamais - “Never lose your temper”
Condition: Antique condition, with surface wear and patina commensurate with age. Please refer to the photographs for details as they form part of the description.
