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Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Pre 1800: Item # 1448919

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Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room
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P.O. Box 4684
Baltimore, Maryland 21212
tel. 410-435-3738

Guest Book

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. This seal features Cupid, quiver slung over his shoulder, standing by an altar sacrificing a heart and reads, Je Vous L'offre, "I offer it (my heart) to you". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1743. This is an original seal from the era in which Gouyn was manager of the Chelsea Factory. Similar "toys" can be seen in the book, "The Chelsea Porcelain Toys", by GE Bryant. A documented image from this book, of Cupid holding a spy-glass, is shown in the last photo.