ANTIQUE GLASS INTAGLIO WAX SEAL GRAND TOUR NEOCLASSICAL FIGURES GEORGIAN GEM
A beautiful antique:
GLASS / GLASS PASTE INTAGLIO
finely engraved with an intriguing:
NEOCLASSICAL FIGURAL SCENE
inspired by the art and mythology of the:
ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN WORLD
Likely intended for use as a:
WAX SEAL / FOB / COLLECTOR'S INTAGLIO
this is a wonderful miniature example of:
GLYPTIC ART
with excellent:
GRAND TOUR / GEORGIAN / CLASSICAL REVIVAL
collector appeal.
Details
Type: Intaglio / Wax Seal / Seal Stone
Material: Glass / Glass Paste
Technique: Intaglio Engraving
Subject: Neoclassical Figural Scene
Figures: Multiple Classical-Style Figures
Style: Greco-Roman / Neoclassical
Period: Antique, exact date uncertain
Use: Wax Seal / Fob / Collector's Gem
Interest: Grand Tour / Georgian / Classical Revival / Glyptic Art
Please use the photographs for the exact dimensions, weight, colour, translucency, carving and condition.
Neoclassical Figural Scene
The intaglio is engraved with a fascinating:
MULTI-FIGURE CLASSICAL SCENE
depicted in the manner of:
ANCIENT GREEK & ROMAN ART
The figures have the appearance of a:
MYTHOLOGICAL
ALLEGORICAL
HISTORICAL
CLASSICAL
composition.
Scenes of this type were enormously popular among European collectors fascinated by the rediscovery and study of:
ANCIENT ROME
ANCIENT GREECE
POMPEII
HERCULANEUM
and classical sculpture.
Intaglio
The scene has been executed using the ancient technique known as:
INTAGLIO
where the image is:
CUT / ENGRAVED BELOW THE SURFACE
of the material.
This is the opposite of:
CAMEO
work, where the design projects outward in relief.
When pressed into softened:
SEALING WAX
the recessed design creates a corresponding raised image.
Wax Seal
Engraved intaglios could be mounted into:
FOB SEALS
WATCH CHAINS
SIGNET RINGS
SEAL HANDLES
SWIVEL SEALS
and used for sealing:
LETTERS
DOCUMENTS
PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE
They could also be collected purely as:
MINIATURE WORKS OF ART
particularly when depicting elaborate classical subjects.
Grand Tour
The piece has wonderful:
GRAND TOUR
appeal.
During the:
18TH & EARLY 19TH CENTURIES
wealthy European travellers journeyed through:
ITALY
ROME
NAPLES
FLORENCE
VENICE
studying and collecting the art of the ancient world.
The excavations at:
POMPEII & HERCULANEUM
created enormous enthusiasm for:
CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY
and helped inspire the:
NEOCLASSICAL MOVEMENT
across European art and design.
Classical Gems
Ancient engraved gems became particularly desirable among:
ANTIQUARIANS
SCHOLARS
ARISTOCRATIC COLLECTORS
Original classical gems could be extremely valuable, so craftsmen produced:
GLASS PASTE IMPRESSIONS
INTAGLIOS
CAMEOS
REPRODUCTIONS
allowing important designs to be studied and collected.
These miniature objects became an important part of:
18TH & 19TH-CENTURY COLLECTING CULTURE
Tassie / Glass Paste Tradition
The appearance of this piece has strong crossover interest with the tradition associated with:
JAMES TASSIE
1735–1799
the celebrated Scottish modeller and gem reproducer famous for producing:
GLASS PASTE INTAGLIOS & CAMEOS
after ancient and contemporary gems.
However, unless this piece can be matched to a documented Tassie impression or carries secure provenance, no direct attribution to James Tassie, William Tassie or the Tassie workshop is made.
It is better understood as belonging to the broader:
GLASS INTAGLIO / GRAND TOUR / CLASSICAL REVIVAL
tradition.
Neoclassical Art
The:
NEOCLASSICAL
movement looked back to the perceived elegance, balance and intellectual culture of:
ANCIENT GREECE & ROME
Classical:
GODS
HEROES
PHILOSOPHERS
WARRIORS
MYTHOLOGICAL SCENES
became enormously fashionable subjects for:
SCULPTURE
PAINTING
JEWELLERY
MEDALS
INTAGLIOS
throughout the Georgian period and beyond.
Subject Identification
The engraved scene may represent a particular:
MYTH
CLASSICAL STORY
ALLEGORY
ANCIENT GEM DESIGN
and further research may potentially identify its source.
However, without sufficiently distinctive attributes or a documented comparison, no specific:
GOD
GODDESS
HERO
EMPEROR
MYTHOLOGICAL EVENT
is claimed.
This avoids attaching an unsupported identity to what may be a very specific classical composition.
Glass / Glass Paste
The piece is described as:
GLASS / GLASS PASTE
based upon its appearance.
Historic glass intaglios were capable of beautifully reproducing the appearance of:
AGATE
CARNELIAN
CHALCEDONY
JASPER
OTHER HARDSTONES
and were themselves highly collectible objects.
No natural gemstone composition is claimed unless professionally tested.
Not Claimed as Ancient Roman
Importantly, the classical imagery does not mean that the object itself is:
ANCIENT ROMAN / ANCIENT GREEK
It is being offered as an:
ANTIQUE GRAND TOUR / NEOCLASSICAL-STYLE INTAGLIO
rather than an excavated archaeological artefact.
No ancient provenance is claimed.
Collector Appeal
This fascinating intaglio should appeal to collectors of:
Antique Wax Seals
Glass Intaglios
Grand Tour Objects
Georgian Antiques
Neoclassical Art
Greco-Roman Art
Classical Mythology
Glyptic Art
Tassie-Style Gems
Seal Fobs
Glass Paste
Cabinet Curiosities
Antique Jewellery Components
Highlights
ANTIQUE GLASS INTAGLIO
WAX SEAL
GRAND TOUR
NEOCLASSICAL
FIGURAL SCENE
Multiple classical figures
Greco-Roman influence
Intaglio engraving
Glyptic art
Georgian interest
Classical Revival
Glass paste tradition
Tassie crossover interest
Mythological / allegorical subject
Wonderful miniature collector's object
A fascinating antique glass intaglio wax seal, finely engraved with a Neoclassical multi-figure scene and offering wonderful crossover appeal for collectors of Grand Tour objects, Georgian seals and classical glyptic art.
Condition & Attribution
The intaglio is in honest antique condition with wear consistent with considerable age and previous handling.
Please expect:
Surface Marks • Scratches • Edge Nibbles • Tiny Chips • Rubbing • Internal Bubbles / Inclusions • Manufacturing Irregularities • General Age-Related Wear
where visible.
Please inspect the photographs carefully for:
CHIPS
HAIRLINES
FRACTURES
EDGE LOSSES
MOUNTING TRACES
and the completeness of the engraved design.
The material is described as:
GLASS / GLASS PASTE
based upon its apparent characteristics.
No claim is made that it is a natural:
AGATE
CARNELIAN
CHALCEDONY
JASPER
PRECIOUS / SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMSTONE
unless professionally tested.
The scene is described as:
NEOCLASSICAL / GRECO-ROMAN STYLE
based upon the visible figures and composition.
No particular mythological or historical scene is attributed without a secure comparison.
Likewise, although the piece has:
GRAND TOUR / TASSIE-STYLE
collector interest, no claim is made that it was personally produced by:
JAMES TASSIE
WILLIAM TASSIE
THE TASSIE WORKSHOP
without documentary evidence or a confirmed catalogue match.
The piece is not being sold as an excavated ancient Greek or Roman archaeological artefact.
Please study all photographs carefully for the Neoclassical figures, intaglio carving, glass colour and translucency, edges, reverse, possible mounting traces, dimensions, weight and overall condition before bidding.
🖼️ Item Condition:
This item is in honest antique condition. I’ve included detailed photographs to show the condition, size, and weight, so please review them carefully before placing your bid.
This is one of several fantastic lots I have available this week. Whenever possible, I’m happy to combine shipping to help you save on costs!
🛍️ Take a look at my other collectables—everything is up for sale at a no-reserve 10-day auction! If you're interested in multiple items, I’m more than happy to combine postage. Please note that for international customers using eBay's Global Shipping, we are sadly unable to combine postage.
All my items are fresh to the market and offered with no reserve, so be sure to add me to your favourite sellers to stay updated on future listings! Follow for more items each week.
🌍 International buyers are welcome! I offer and only use eBay’s Global Shipping Program.
I take great care in packaging to ensure your item arrives in the same condition it left me. Your satisfaction is very important to me, so if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to help!
📌 Payment Details:
All purchases must be paid for within 2 days of the auction ending. If you need extra time, just send me a quick message, and we can work something out. Otherwise, an automated case will be opened.
Thank you so much for visiting my listing and bidding on my items—I truly appreciate your support!
💌 Happy Bidding & Good Luck!
— Hannah 😊