A substantial Victorian seal dating to c.1860, crafted in 15ct gold and set with a finely engraved carnelian intaglio. The seal face carries an elaborate heraldic coat of arms with a crowned shield, a hand at its centre and a lion supporter to either side, all cut with impressive clarity into the warm orange-red carnelian.
Below the arms is the Latin motto “SPES TUTISSIMA COELIS”, meaning “the safest hope is in heaven”. The phrase is recorded as a heraldic motto used by British armigerous families.
The gold mount is especially attractive, with open scrolling construction and a distinctive heart-shaped lower terminal beneath the suspension. At 9.1 grams it has a pleasing solidity in the hand, while the deep carnelian produces a crisp and highly decorative impression when pressed into wax.
