A beautifully symbolic antique fob dating to 1840–1880, featuring a coiled snake rendered in 18K gold and wrapped around a grey chalcedony seal. The seal bears the French inscription “Va où je voudrais être,” translating to “Go where I would like to be.” Sentimental inscriptions were a cherished element of 19th-century personal jewelry, transforming functional objects such as fobs and seals into intimate expressions of affection and remembrance. The serpent, with its continuous, coiled form, also carried associations of eternity and enduring devotion, making this an especially evocative example.
The fob measures approximately 0.9 inches from the top of the bail to the bottom by 0.6 inches wide and 0.5 inches deep, and weighs 4 grams. It remains in great antique condition.
Metal authenticity has been professionally verified using XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis and traditional jeweler’s acid testing, confirming solid 18K gold construction.
A wonderfully intimate example of Victorian-era sentimental jewelry, this fob combines fine goldwork, a beautifully preserved engraved seal, and a poignant French inscription into a uniquely personal keepsake.
