Western Europe, Italy, Neoclassical, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A lovely carnelian intaglio that is engraved with the Colosseum and set in a 69.67% (equivalent to 16K+) gold bezel with a short ring handle to use as a fob seal. The Colosseum is shown as it looked in the 18th century - a partial ruin with the losses to the stones of the outer walls clearly visible and overgrown vegetation along the upper levels. The elongated octagonal stone is set in a formfitting bezel supported by a pair of inward scrolling wire arches that form a mount for the ring handle / suspension loop welded to the tip. Fob seals were worn on watch fobs as accessories for gentlemen - while they were used to sign documents, they were often purely decorative. This Colosseum seal was likely acquired by someone on their Grand Tour to show off their travels as both a signifier of wealth and cultural sophistication. Size (intaglio face): 0.77" L x 0.62" W (2 cm x 1.6 cm); (pendant setting): 0.87" L x 0.7" W (2.2 cm x 1.8 cm); gold quality: 69.67% (equivalent to 16K+); weight: 3.5 grams

Provenance: private East Coast collection, New York, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#169461

Age and use expected signs on gold, but intaglio and handle bezel are intact. Minor dark patina and cleanable toning on the gold areas. Excellent condition!