A Silver-Gilt and Coral-Mounted Hardstone Hand-Seal, Incorporating

the coral handle centrally waisted and carved with foliage and part engine-turned, terminating in a white hardstone matrix, cut with the coat-of-arms of Combe quartering another and within a foliage-chased silver-gilt mount, the other end of the handle applied with a Swiss gem-set and enamelled silver-gilt watch case, the hinged domed base enamelled with Roman Charity, in the manner of Simon Vouet, the sides with landscape vignettes with yellow and brown foliage between, the interior similarly painted, the cover of the watch case chased with foliage and set with a row of red cabochons, in fitted red leather covered case the case 14cm wide Provenance: Mellors and Kirk, Nottingham, 5 February 2004, lot 382. The Matrix Collection. Literature: D. Morris, Matrix A Collection of British Seals, Romsey, 2012, pp. 132-133, catalogue no. 64. The arms are those of Boyce Harvey Combe, F.S.A., J.P. (1816-1897). Combe was the eldest son of Boyce Combe, a barrister of Hampshire. Combe junior studied at Rugby and served as Lieutenant of the 1st Bombay Cavalry. He married Sarah, the daughter and heiress of Hercules Sharpe of Oaklands Park, Sussex and a granddaughter of the Sir Anthony Brabazon of Brabazon Park. In later life Combe was to become a fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries and spent much time building an impressive library. Matrix A Collection of British Seals

Estimate:£3,000

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