Petite Pliny's Doves Intaglio Seal

This one-of-a-kind charm is composed of:

• Victorian, 9k gold watch fob charm from the late 1800s that originally hung from a watch chain. It features hand engraved scroll work and floral details with an inset shield-shaped rock crystal base with a purple tint featuring an etched scene of Pliny's Doves in a water basin.
• This piece was made and sourced in England. This charm measures just under 1" in height, with a .5" base.

If you would like a swivel clasp added to your charm, click here to add to your cart. 

*This pendant is depicted hanging from our signature delicate classic solid gold chain, as well as our serpent connector and large gold filled charm chain on the model.

THE HISTORY:

Throughout history, doves have been a symbol of gentleness and beauty - they are the animal of Venus (Aphrodite), the goddess of love. Her son Cupid (Eros) has the wings of a dove. Doves have also been ancient symbols of the soul, spirit, or human life force, and represent this in some allegorical and mourning compositions. The Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, is represented as a radiant dove in religious compositions.

Common scenes depicting doves in antique jewelry and art - especially from the 1700-1800s - are known as "Pliny's Doves". The lost original that the depictions are based on come from Pliny the Elder's description of a floor mosaic in his "Natural History" writings:

"Pavements are an invention of the Greeks, who also practiced the art of painting them, till they were superseded by mosaics. In this last branch of art the highest excellence has been attained by Sosus who laid at Pergamus the pavement known as the “Asarotos œcos”; from the fact that he there represented in small squares of different colors the remnants of a banquet lying upon the pavement and other things which are usually swept away with the broom, they having all the appearance of being left there by accident. There is a dove also, greatly admired, in the act of drinking and throwing the shadow of its head upon the water; while other birds are to be seen sunning and pluming themselves on the margin of a drinking bowl"