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Georgian Carnelian Rebus Intaglio "Yours Etc."

Georgian Carnelian Rebus Intaglio "Yours Etc."

$650.00

Description

DATE: George III, c.1800

This carnelian panel has been carved with a rebus puzzle. I'm not 100% sure, but I think it means "choose over all the rest" (as in I choose you over all the rest, or choose me over all the rest). Here's the breakdown:

The top line is phonologically cryptic: the letter T + A yew tree + the letter S = Choose (tyews)

Underneath this is an archaic way of writing "et cetera" - &c. - which translates literally as "and the rest"

The "Choose" is positioned above the "&c." which is where the "over" part comes from

I think that's right, but any further thoughts/comments are welcome.

[edit: apparently it actually means "Yours Etc." - as in Yew plus the letters R and S, so the above can be disregarded...]

A rebus, or rebus puzzle, can be defined as "a representation of words or syllables by pictures of objects or by symbols whose names resemble the intended words or syllables in sound". They were hugely popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, along with all the other forms of secret symbolic codes: acrostics, the language of flowers, etc. etc.

STONES 

Carnelian

MEASUREMENTS 

14.8 x 11.2 x 3.9mm

WEIGHT 

1.2g

CONDITION 

Very good, light wear commensurate with age. A few small chips/scratches, including one next to the T

Georgian Carnelian Rebus Intaglio Yours Etc. Georgian Carnelian Rebus Intaglio Yours Etc. Georgian Carnelian Rebus Intaglio Yours Etc.