Northwestern Europe, England, Stuart period, ca. 1661 to 1700 CE. This is an ornate chessman type of fob seal, made from a high quality 88% (equivalent to 21K+) gold and inscribed with an armorial crest. The handle mount has a ring finial for suspension upon a fluted and balustered stem that is attached to the ovoid seal face. The engraved crest consists of a lozenge (diamond shape) which indicates a lady, ermine patterns, a bendwise fusils (the diagonal band of diamonds also referred to as "fusilly in bend" or sometimes "bendy lozengy"), which are associated with the Jenkinson Baronetcy, of Walton Hall, Chesterfield, in the county of Derby. The arms being held within a Diamond/Lozenge, rather than a shield, would indicate that it was used by a female in the family, such as the wife or mother of the 1st-3rd Baron. Size: 0.5" L x 0.43" W x 0.8" H (1.3 cm x 1.1 cm x 2 cm); gold quality: 88% (equivalent to 21K+); weight: 6.1 grams

Two baronetcies were created for families with the surname Jenkinson, one for Robert Jenkinson of Walcot in the county of Oxford in 1661. The second was created in 1685 for Paul Jenkinson of Walton Hall, Chesterfield, in the County of Derby who was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1687. This crest is attributed to this 2nd baronetcies of Walton. This armorial stamp would make an interesting research project on genealogy to determine which lady of the family owned this stamp since usually single women used such seals!

The ermine or stoat fur is the iconic trim of royalty- a white pelt with a black spot on the tail- in heraldry this is represented as arrowhead surmounted by three small dots, as seen in this crest.

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Provenance: private Boynton Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex private Bristol, UK collection

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#170768

Intact and excellent. Minor age expected surface wear- tiny nicks and some softening of seal face, but crest is clear and discernable.