A Chelsea Seal Fob, circa 1755
This Chelsea seal fob is modelled as Cupid seated on a tree stump, his bow and quiver at his feet as he blows onto or kisses the flaming heart clasped in his hands. The motto in red reads JE BRULE POUR VOUS (I burn for you).
Tiny fob seals such as this, often richly decorated and mounted in gold, were made for wealthy aristocrats to give as gifts and love tokens.
This model, with the bow and quiver reversed, is illustrated in Bryant, Plate 35, Fig.22 (British Museum Catalogue II. 219).
Provenance: A Private Collection.
Condition: The gilt and enamel decoration is good. There is a small chip to the base and the mounts and seal are lacking. No other damage and no restoration.
Dimensions: Height 2.5 cm
The Chelsea Porcelain Toys: Scent-bottles, Bonbonnieres, Etuis, Seals and Statuettes, made at the Chelsea Factory, 1745-1769 & Derby Chelsea, 1770-1784, G.E. Bryant (The Medici Society, 1925).
Chelsea Porcelain, Elizabeth Adams (The British Museum Press, 2001).