How functional fobs became fashionable
Fobs used to be a functional accessory but they are now considered to be treasured antiques and even fashionable modern jewellery pieces. These miniature charms were not only practical but also served as a symbol of status and personal style in the 18th and 19th centuries. Fob seals were important for 2 reasons:
1) The weight of them provided a counterweight to a pocket watch: at one end of a watch chain and the fob at the other so the chain was balanced and one end wouldn’t fall out of the pocket.
2) They were usually set with a hardstone or a gold or silver panel which could be engraved with a monogram, family crest or motto, typically in Latin. It was used to stamp in molten wax to seal a letter or document giving a clue to the receiver who it was sent from.
Crafted from precious metals such as gold, silver, rolled gold, brass, and pinchbeck (an alloy which imitated gold, fobs often featured intricate designs, engraved initials, or coats of arms, making them valuable heirlooms. The hard stones used were usually carnelian, jasper, bloodstone, laps lazuli, amethyst and citrine, all of which have properties which lend themselves well to carving. Some of the fobs swivel and had two types of hard stone on them, and some were ornately decorated with shells or serpents.
Today, antique fobs are highly sought after by collectors and those who appreciate vintage craftsmanship. They are now also worn as necklaces, stacked together following the latest fashion trend, and are given as keepsakes. I think it’s wonderful that this fine jewellery tradition has found an albeit different purpose today.
Originally published in the Purbeck Gazette on 14th October 2024.
