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Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1448920

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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. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features Cupid holding a spy-glass to his right eye, his left hand on a globe a quiver slung behind him, concave bottom. It reads in crisp read letters, "'ouvrage pour autrui", "work for others". 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.