Early Victorian Agate Spinner Fob

$1,000.00

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Early Victorian Agate Spinner Fob

$1,000.00

Description

DATE: Early Victorian, c.1840

A very peculiar early Victorian spinner fob dating from the 1840s. The cuboid agate spins freely within the gold frame, and features intaglio seal carvings to each of the four faces. They include various French and Italian sentimental messages: RICORDATI DI ME (Remember Me) with a forget-me-not flower; a bird flying over the sea with the words LE FROID ME CHASSE (the cold drives/chases me); Suis je danc oublié (Am I so forgotten?); and alla giornata (to the day). It's an unusual set of sentiments, offering an intriguing choice of messages with which to seal a letter.

The high carat gold frame is adorned with deeply chased orange blossom and foliate detailing.

STONES

Agate

MEASUREMENTS

2.8 x 2.5cm

WEIGHT

8.5g

MARKS

No marks present, tests as 15k gold

CONDITION

Very good