An interesting Georgian era antique Pinchbeck metal fob set with a Roman Glass intaglio. The intaglio was most probably acquired by a gentleman whilst on a Grand Tour and set into this Pinchbeck fob on his return. The intaglio depicts a man in profile with a full head of curling hair, the blue glass has a deep rich turquoise colour.
The fob is quite a dainty size and very decorative featuring ornate embossing and engraving typical of the period. It has a wide bore hanging loop at the top that will accommodate most sizes of gold chain if you wanted to wear it as a pendant.
Pinchbeck was the most popular imitation gold in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Invented in 1720 by London watchmaker and chemist Christopher Pinchbeck, the true gold colour was achieved by combining copper and zinc (much less zinc than what is used to create brass) and the exact formula was kept a closely guarded secret.
Popularly known in England as "travelling jewelleries" (at a time when highway robbery was a very real threat), jewellery made out of Pinchbeck had met its demise by 1850 when rolled gold was invented and a cheaper lower carat (9ct) gold was legalised for sale in Britain.
With it's golden lustre this unique Georgian Pinchbeck fob with its ancient Roman intaglio seal is steeped in history, a true antique treasure!
~Details~
MATERIALS: Pinchbeck, ancient Roman glass
ERA: Georgian circa 1790
DIMENSIONS: fob 1-1/8" (3cm) tall, intaglio base 18x14mm
WEIGHT: 5.3 grams
CONDITION: in fairly good antique condition showing moderate wear and plenty of use, the embossed and engraved decoration in the gold metal isn't as crisp as it once was and the loop at the top has wearing away at the sides where it has been attached to a watch chain. Understandably given his ancient age the intaglio has tiny pitting marks in the surface of the glass and the carving has lost its crispness but there are no chips or cracks in it. Please refer to the photos, we have priced with condition in mind.
At Mercy Madge we offer quality antique and vintage jewellery sourced in Great Britain. All of our pieces are professionally cleaned and polished so they are ready to wear or give as a gift.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
* Free worldwide tracked & insured shipping for all purchases.
* Returns - you can return your item for a refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order and return it within 7 days.
* Discount - find special discount and no added tax on our website at www.mercymadge.com
* All gemstones have been tested and verified using a Presidium Gemstone Tester. All measurements and carat weights given are approximations.
* Our photographs have been taken in extreme close up to show you every tiny detail. This often means that any flaws or damage which you can see on the photos will be invisible when viewed normally with the eye. This can also mean that the item can appear larger on the screen than it is in person, so please be sure to read our written description to double check all sizes and dimensions.
* Buying a gift? – your item will arrive gift wrapped in a custom Mercy Madge jewellery box. Please note, unless otherwise stated antique boxes in our photos are for display only and are not included in the purchase.
Follow us for our latest antique and vintage jewellery:
Instagram: @mercymadge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercymadge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MercyMadge
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MercyMadge
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Mercymadge
Read our blog at https://mercymadge.com/blogs/blog
Materials: Pinchbeck, Roman Glass.