Oak Leaf Antique Seal Pendant

Solid sterling silver oak leaf pendant

The French inscription reads "Je me change q'en mourant" roughly translating to "I'll change when I'm dead"

Cast from a wax impression of a Victorian intaglio seal fob

Intaglio carving is an ancient lapidary skill where a hard gemstone is deeply engraved to show a 3D design, in this case an oak leaf and amazingly tiny text. Historically they've been set into signet rings or fobs hung from watch chains, and used to create beautiful impressions in the wax of sealed letters

The dark oxidised patina in the recessed areas of the pendant is from the reaction of silver with oxygen and will continue to develop and with wear, though high points will remain shiny

Every item is handmade by me in Leeds and due to the nature of hand finishing is likely to vary very slightly from the image shown here