For the lover of Shakespeare, this is a rather marvelous thing. Carved into glowing orange carnelian is the unmistakable profile of the Bard himself, his high forehead, pointed beard, curled hair and Elizabethan dress rendered in remarkably fine detail. The stone is mounted beneath a beautifully restrained gold handle, giving it the feeling of a miniature portrait bust that just happens to be wearable. And, as a proper seal should, the engraved image comes dramatically to life when impressed into wax.

Handcrafted in about 1870, this Victorian seal fob is made in 9 karat gold and set with an oval carnelian intaglio engraved with a portrait of William Shakespeare. The tall openwork handle is formed with smooth tapering supports rising to a substantial suspension loop. The fob measures 30.4 millimeters high by 18.4 millimeters across by 23.3 millimeters deep and weighs 7.05 grams. It is unmarked but tested as 9 karat gold. The chain shown is not included.

For a reader, writer, actor, collector, or anyone who keeps Shakespeare close, this is one of those rare antiques that feels remarkably personal more than a century after it was made.

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Item id: FBA27246VA