Some jewels keep their secrets. This one gives us a name. “Anna” is beautifully engraved into the pale chalcedony seal of this wonderful mid Victorian fob, made around 1850. Who Anna was, we can only wonder, but someone thought enough of her name to have it carved into stone and set beneath this rather fabulous little architectural fob. More than 175 years later, Anna is still here.

The fob is crafted in warm 12 karat gold with an unusually sculptural openwork design. Three sweeping arches rise from little gold spheres above the rectangular seal, giving the piece an almost Gothic architectural quality. The stepped base frames a rectangular chalcedony seal measuring 12 millimeters high by 14 millimeters wide. The stone is engraved in reverse with the name “Anna,” ready to leave her name behind in wax.

The fob measures 22.6 millimeters from top to bottom, 18 millimeters across and 16 millimeters deep. It weighs 6.85 grams. There are no hallmarks, and the gold has been carefully acid tested as 12 karat.

Originally made to hang from a watch chain and used as a personal seal, antique fobs like this make wonderful pendants today. This one is especially wearable, small enough for every day, but with enough dimension and character to be noticed. I rather love that after all this time, it can simply be worn as Anna’s necklace.

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Item id: FBA27023VA