How were fob seals used?

Fob seals were pressed into hot sealing wax to secure letters and documents. The owner pressed their personal crest or initials into the wax to close the parchment. They hung from a pocket watch chain or ribbon, serving as both a practical tool and a decorative accessory of dress.

What are intaglio carvings?

An intaglio is a design carved into the flat face of a hardstone. When pressed into wax, the inverted design leaves a raised impression. Carvings depict names, initials, portraits, and classical figures cut into stones like carnelian and chalcedony.

Are these pieces solid gold?

Gold standards vary across the pieces, ranging from solid nine carat and fifteen carat gold to gold cased and gilt metal. Gold cased items feature a layer of solid gold bonded to a base metal core, a method common in period manufacturing.

Can I still use them to stamp wax?

Many stones retain their original carved matrices in clean condition. You can press them into traditional sealing wax to stamp impressions. Care should be taken with antique stones and delicate swivel mounts when applying pressure into warm wax.