A Victorian 18ct gold fob seal in the form of a granulated cross. The carved agate intaglio bears the Barnard family crest depicting a muzzled bear within a ducal coronet, encircled by the motto 'Nisi Paret Imperat’ or “Unless it commands, it obeys.”
The motto can be traced back to a line from a c. 20 B.C. Horace poem, essentially saying “either you control your emotions, or they control you.” In his precise words: “Rule your passions.” Not a bad motto to wear close to one's heart!
Size: 23mm
Materials: Base and cross are 18ct, loop at top tests as 9 ct, but is gilded. Seal is sardonyx.
Condition: Intaglio and fob are in very good condition. Minor wear to the 18ct gilding on the 9ct loop at top of fob.