A Chelsea Seal Fob, Gold Anchor period, circa 1756-69
This Chelsea seal fob is modelled as a young Bacchus standing by a green stump, holding a wine cup in his left hand and a staff (thyrsus) in his right. He is draped with bunches of grapes and vine leaves which girdle him. Gold-mounted and set with a polished carnelian.
Tiny seal fobs such as this, often richly decorated and mounted in gold, were made for wealthy aristocrats to give as gifts and love tokens.
A circa 1770 Derby example with a gilt-lined base is illustrated in Bryant, Plate 42, Fig.15.
Condition: There is a faint hairline through the right foot, and small glaze flakes beside the mount. No restoration.
Dimensions: Height 3.4 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).