A 18-karat Gold And Engraved Rock Crystal Triple-matrix Desk Seal – 18th Century

Swivel seal with coat of arms, made of rock crystal and 18-karat gold – circa 1800

A remarkable TRIPLE-MATRIX DESK SEAL in rock crystal, intaglio-engraved with the alliance coat of arms of Leendert Huibrecht de Haze Bomme and Maria Ursula van Visvliet, married in 1784 in Middelburg, Zeeland. Another side features the presumed coat of arms of the Bodt family within a lady's lozenge shield, surmounted by a crown. Openwork yellow gold mount. Netherlands, Zeeland, 18th century. Height: 3.3 cm - Weight: 15 g.

Description

The prism-shaped crystal features three rotating faces. Two are very finely engraved in intaglio with coats of arms:
the first bears a crowned shield featuring, notably, a fish in its center; the second shows two shields joined together, likely representing a union coat of arms. The third face is left blank.

An ingenious pivot mechanism allows the crystal to be rotated to select the desired design.
The setting is embellished with a small mascaron and, like the finesse of the heraldic engraving, attests to the high quality of the craftsmanship.

A beautiful, prestigious object combining goldsmithing, gemstone carving, and heraldry, originally intended for a person of high standing.

European work, late 18th– 1784.

Rock crystal engraved in intaglio and 18-karat gold.

The coat of arms has yet to be identified.

Condition:

In very good overall condition, with slight signs of wear consistent with its age.

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