Around 1800, small glass intaglios known as Tassies became fashionable for sealing letters. Named after Scottish gem engraver James Tassie, who developed a method of reproducing carved gems in colored glass paste, they often featured sentimental mottos and classical imagery. This red-spotted black glass Tassie is meant to imitate bloodstone. It was salvaged from a broken Georgian wax seal wheel and reset in 14k gold. It depicts a harp surrounded with the French motto "Je réponds a la touche" which translates to "I respond to the touch". Double entendre alert!
MATERIALS: 14k gold, antique imitation bloodstone glass seal
AGE: c. 1800 seal, contemporary mounting
SIZE: 6.5, can be resized; 5/8" x 1/2" head, 1/8" shank