We’ve written before about the curious world of watch fobs … ornamental anchors at the end of a gentleman’s pocket watch chain. My love for them comes from their craftsmanship & history. (It was my love of history that first led me down this career path, after my attempt at becoming a history teacher.)
This week, we bought from an Atlanta jeweler a truly impressive example. After a few hours of internet research we identified this 18-karat gold, silver-trimmed seal fob as once belonging to Count Vladimir Adlerberg (pictured), a trusted assistant to Czar Nicholas I and later Governor of Finland under the Russian Empire. Weighing over 38 grams, this is no dainty trinket.
The intaglio face bears Adlerberg’s family crest – double-headed eagles, crown and motto – meant both to impress in wax upon official decrees and to impress socially when dangling from a watch chain. Pieces like this perfectly illustrate how aristocrats lived in a world where even practical tools were elevated into objects of power, splendor and authority. As you can see from the portrait, the Count liked to show off his “regal” side.
Holding it today, you can almost feel the weight of Russian history, pressed in gold, carried by one of the empire’s most powerful courtiers. Value? Our Atlanta jeweler friend bought it for $2,000 and flipped it to us for $2,500. While the gold value is less than $2,000, we hope that, with its historical significance, we can make a profit with an auction estimate of $3,000 to $4,000.
