ANTIQUE TASSIE GLASS INTAGLIO EGYPTIAN FIGURE CROCODILE WAX SEAL GRAND TOUR
A fascinating antique TASSIE-STYLE GLASS INTAGLIO / WAX SEAL, featuring an unusual:
EGYPTIAN / EGYPTIANISING FIGURE
standing upon or beside a short plinth, accompanied by a small animal resembling a:
CROCODILE / REPTILE
The oval composition has strong GRAND TOUR, NEOCLASSICAL and EGYPTIAN REVIVAL appeal and closely recalls the imagery found on ancient Greco-Roman magical gems and protective amulets.
A highly unusual collector’s piece for anyone interested in antique intaglios, Egyptomania, classical antiquity and historic wax seals.
Details
Type: Intaglio / Wax Seal / Engraved Glass Matrix
Material: Glass / Glass Paste, attributed
Form: Oval
Subject: Egyptian / Egyptianising Standing Figure
Animal: Crocodile / Reptile-Type Creature
Style: Tassie / Grand Tour / Egyptian Revival / Classical Revival
Use: Wax Seal / Signet / Desk Collectable / Amuletic-Style Object
Please refer to the photographs for the exact dimensions, colour, engraving, translucency and condition.
Egyptian / Egyptianising Figure
The central figure appears:
UPRIGHT
DRAPED OR MUMMIFORM
HEADDRESS / WIGGED
POSITIONED ON A SHORT BASE OR PLINTH
with a small reptilian animal beside or behind the lower part of the composition.
This gives the seal a distinctly:
EGYPTIAN / GRECO-EGYPTIAN
character.
Comparable imagery can appear on ancient magical gems and later antiquarian reproductions.
Crocodile Imagery
The small creature resembles a:
CROCODILE
an animal with particularly strong associations in ancient Egyptian religion and symbolism.
Crocodiles could be linked with:
PROTECTION
DANGER
THE NILE
DIVINE POWER
and appear in both Egyptian and Greco-Roman religious imagery.
Some magical gems depict protective deities or figures standing upon crocodiles as a visual expression of mastery over harmful forces.
Possible Harpocrates / Pataikos / Isis Association
The figure may recall imagery associated with deities or protective figures such as:
HARPOCRATES
PATAIKOS
ISIS
or related Greco-Egyptian magical subjects.
However, these identifications depend on very specific attributes.
Without clearer iconographic evidence, the safest description is:
EGYPTIAN / EGYPTIANISING FIGURE WITH CROCODILE
rather than assigning a definite deity.
Tassie-Style Intaglio
The piece has the appearance of a:
TASSIE-STYLE GLASS / PASTE INTAGLIO
James Tassie and related workshops became famous for reproducing antique engraved gems and classical subjects in coloured glass paste.
These miniature works were widely collected by:
SCHOLARS
ANTIQUARIANS
GRAND TOUR TRAVELLERS
ARISTOCRATIC COLLECTORS
during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The term Tassie-style describes the tradition and appearance unless direct workshop provenance is available.
Grand Tour & Egyptomania
The Grand Tour encouraged a huge European interest in the ancient world.
Collectors sought objects and reproductions inspired by:
ROME
GREECE
EGYPT
CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
Egyptian subjects became particularly fashionable during periods of renewed archaeological and antiquarian interest.
This piece sits beautifully within that tradition of:
EGYPTIAN REVIVAL / EGYPTOMANIA
collecting.
Magical Gem Influence
Ancient Greco-Roman magical gems often combined:
EGYPTIAN DEITIES
ANIMALS
SYMBOLS
INSCRIPTIONS
PROTECTIVE IMAGERY
within compact intaglio designs.
The composition of this seal strongly recalls that tradition.
It should not, however, be assumed to be an actual ancient magical gem unless archaeological provenance or specialist dating supports such a conclusion.
Wax Seal Function
An:
INTAGLIO
is engraved below the surface so that when pressed into sealing wax, the design appears in raised relief.
Seals of this type could be used for:
LETTERS
DOCUMENTS
SIGNETS
DESK ACCESSORIES
or kept as miniature collector’s objects.
Collector Appeal
This piece should appeal to collectors of:
Tassie Glass
Egyptian Revival
Grand Tour Objects
Antique Intaglios
Wax Seals
Egyptomania
Greco-Roman Gems
Magical Gem Imagery
Crocodile Symbolism
Neoclassical Collectables
Antique Deskware
Highlights
TASSIE-STYLE GLASS INTAGLIO
EGYPTIAN / EGYPTIANISING FIGURE
CROCODILE / REPTILE MOTIF
WAX SEAL / SIGNET
GRAND TOUR
EGYPTIAN REVIVAL
Oval engraved design
Magical-gem style imagery
Neoclassical collector appeal
Unusual historic subject
A fascinating antique Egyptianising Tassie-style intaglio seal, featuring a standing figure with crocodile imagery and strong Grand Tour and Egyptomania appeal.
Condition & Attribution
The piece is in honest antique / vintage condition with wear consistent with age and handling.
Please inspect the photographs carefully for any:
EDGE NIBBLES
SMALL CHIPS
SURFACE SCRATCHES
FINE HAIRLINES
RUBBING TO THE DESIGN
GENERAL AGE-RELATED WEAR
where visible.
The material is described as glass / glass paste based upon appearance and has not been professionally tested.
The figure is described conservatively as Egyptian / Egyptianising, and no absolute identification as Harpocrates, Pataikos, Isis or another deity is claimed.
Likewise, no claim is made that this is an archaeological ancient Egyptian or Greco-Roman object.
The term Tassie is used stylistically unless supported by provenance, catalogue reference or workshop attribution.
Please refer to the photographs for the actual dimensions, colour, figure detail, animal motif, edges and overall condition before bidding.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest antique / vintage condition. I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, and weight, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
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