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ID #SA1242597
FOR SALE
£545
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Antique Intaglio “Telle Est La Vie” "Such Is Life" Ship Fob Seal Pendant | Georgian
For sale by Lancastrian Jewellers
for sale €638     $692
£545
Lancastrian Jewellers

Lancastrian Jewellers

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2022
Browse dealers 205 items
  • About Us
    We are a third generation jewellers in the north of england, UK. Specialising in quality antique, vintage and fine jewellery
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Id #SA1242597
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Antique Intaglio “Telle Est La Vie” "Such Is Life" Ship Fob Seal Pendant | Georgian

19th century
Description

This collectable large antique Fob features a carnelian intaglio on the base: a ship battling its way through turbulent seas, a wonderful metaphor for the human journey—life may bring storms, uncertainty, and difficult seas, but we still sail on. Hence the French inscription above the ship: Telle est la vie… 'such is life'.

This quality fob would make a wonderful gift or a great addition to any collection.

METAL

Gold Cased

STONE

Carnelian

MEASUREMENTS

Height 2.5cm x 1.7cm wide

Intaglio measures 1.5cm x 1.3cm

WEIGHT

6.55 grams

CONDITION

The antique intaglio fob is in excellent condition. The intaglio's carving remains sharp and undamaged, while the gold metalwork exhibits a pleasing patina. Minimal wear consistent with age is present on the intaglio and the metal casing, adding to the piece's historical authenticity.

Item Number - SD1132

Date of Manufacture

Lancastrian Jewellers has dated this Georgian Carnelian Fob Seal to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242597
Dealers Internal Reference
SD1132
Description
This collectable large antique Fob features a carnelian intaglio on the base: a ship battling its way through turbulent seas, a wonderful metaphor for the human journey—life may bring storms, uncertainty, and difficult seas, but we still sail on. Hence the French inscription above the ship: Telle est la vie… 'such is life'.
fig 1. A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie.
fig 1. Antique Intaglio “Telle Est La Vie” "Such Is Life" Ship Fob Seal Pendant | Georgian

This quality fob would make a wonderful gift or a great addition to any collection.

METAL

Gold Cased

STONE

Carnelian

MEASUREMENTS

Height 2.5cm x 1.7cm wide

Intaglio measures 1.5cm x 1.3cm

WEIGHT

6.55 grams

CONDITION

The antique intaglio fob is in excellent condition.

“
The intaglio's carving remains sharp and undamaged, while the gold metalwork exhibits a pleasing patina.
Lancastrian Jewellers

Minimal wear consistent with age is present on the intaglio and the metal casing, adding to the piece's historical authenticity.

Item Number - SD1132

Date of Manufacture

Lancastrian Jewellers has dated this Georgian Carnelian Fob Seal to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242597
Dealers Internal Ref
SD1132
Lancastrian Jewellers
Lancastrian Jewellers
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2022

We are a third generation jewellers in the north of england, UK. Specialising in quality antique, vintage and fine jewellery

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lancastrian Jewellers Profile Page

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A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie.
1 / 10
Archive I A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie.

Antique Intaglio “Telle Est La Vie” "Such Is Life" Ship Fob Seal Pendant | Georgian

Archive II A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View II
Archive III A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View III
Archive IV A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View IV
Archive V A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View V
Archive VI A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View VI
Archive VII A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View VII
Archive VIII A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View VIII
Archive IX A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View IX
Archive X A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Lancastrian Jewellers

Lancastrian Jewellers
Telephone 07527 577305
Location
Dalton House
9 Dalton Square
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 1WD
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/lancastrianjewellers
Verified Since Jun 2022
Items For Sale 205
Items Sold 177
Lancastrian Jewellers
Lancastrian Jewellers
Verified Since Jun 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Dalton House, 9 Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1WD, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/lancastrianjewellers
Verified
Jun 2022
For Sale
205
Sold
177
A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie.
Antique Intaglio “Telle Est La Vie” "Such is life" Ship Fob Seal Pendant | Georgian
Ref: SA1242597
A Georgian gold fob seal set with a red carnelian intaglio engraved with a sailing ship and the French inscription Telle Est La Vie.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFob Seals
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialGold, Carnelian
  • ColourRed, Gold
  • MotifsIntaglio carving, Sailing vessel motif, Motto inscription, Gold mount

FAQs

A Georgian fob seal intaglio is a personal decorative object from the eighteenth or early nineteenth century, featuring an engraved hardstone mounted in metal. These items served as functional instruments to stamp wax seals on correspondence and as status symbols worn on pocket watch chains.

Antique fob seals were constructed using gold, pinchbeck, or silver mounts paired with durable hardstones such as carnelian, chalcedony, bloodstone, or onyx. The designs were hand-engraved into the gemstone surface to produce a relief image when pressed into melted sealing wax.

Authenticity is evaluated through hand-carving techniques, period-accurate metal composition, fine tool marks, and organic wear patterns consistent with age. Original pieces feature hand-cut engravings and inverted lettering so the resulting wax impression reads correctly.

Antique fob seals are commonly adapted into wearable neck pendants suspended from gold chains or added to charm bracelets. Collectors also display them inside glass-topped collector frames or small velvet-lined tray boxes alongside historical wax impressions.

Clean the gemstone and metal mount using a soft toothbrush dampened with warm water and mild soap, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners or aggressive chemicals. Dry the item thoroughly with a lint-free cloth and store it in a padded compartment to protect the carved stone from abrasion.
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