An exceptional antique Georgian amethyst intaglio seal of Demeter the Greek Goddess of harvest, grain and fertility. A superb example of a master engraver's work Demeter is depicted in profile with wheat stalks in her hair. Incredibly when viewed under magnification and tilted slightly to your right Mount Olympus appears from deep within the gemstone. The mountain is engraved inside the stone and appears in 3-D in the background next to her eyes and nose. The level of skilled artistry and technical ability needed to create this gemstone engraving is truly incredible
The natural amethyst is a beautiful deeply saturated violet purple and it is set into a luxurious 18ct yellow gold fob. The fob setting is tall and slender in a neoclassical column design topped in an 18ct gold "à suspendre" ring (to hang it or use as a pendant). It is quite a dainty feminine size, this is bound to be a fob made for a lady!
Circa 1820, this piece remains in very, very good antique condition with minimal wear to the gold. There is a tiny nibble to the facet edge of the amethyst in the top corner which isn't near the engraving, it is barely noticeable and doesn't affect the image. The intaglio still turns out a beautifully well defined impression.
This top quality Georgian intaglio fob pendant will look exquisite paired with a gold chain and she can still be used to seal letters with wax. A rare collectors piece,
~DETAILS~
MATERIALS: solid 18ct yellow gold
GEMSTONE: amethyst, Presidium tested, measuring 14.4x12.4mm
MEASUREMENTS: 1" (2.5cm) tall, base 3/4" (2cm), jump ring 7mm diameter
DATE: Georgian, circa 1820
WEIGHT: 5.5 grams
HALLMARKS: none, acid tested and verified 18ct gold