A large group of gold or gold-cased fob seals, mid 18th to mid 19th century

each with hardstone matrix engraved with coats of arms for Forbes, Stuart, Belsches, Trefusis and others, crests, initials or symbols including a bracelet with faceted links hung with a small crest-engraved fob; an openwork cut-steel chatelaine hung with four handsome fob seals, one swivelling, circa 1780; an unusual two-colour gold example, the handle forming a sun in its splendour, the bloodstone matrix engraved with initials HL below a Marchioness's coronet; a rock-crystal triple seal engraved with arms, crest and monogram, circa 1740; 14 tassel-shaped examples, including the largest, engraved with a bust, possibly of St John the Baptist, late 18th century; 8 with knopped handles, early 19th century; a tiny gold-mounted carnelian seal engraved: Harriet and hung with an 1842 farthing; and 12 others including a tiny citrine example engraved with a bird cage and a large citrine example engraved with a lonely donkey

The swivel seal on the chatelaine is engraved with the arms of Stuart and initials JS for Sir John Stuart, after 1797. The other seals on the chatelaine are variously for Belsches baronets.

The seal with initials HL below a Marchioness's coronet, and a twined fish example, belonged to Harriet, daughter of Henry, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch, who married as his second wife, William, 6th Marquess of Lothian (the sun in splendour is the Lothian crest), in 1806. The Marquess died in 1824 and she died in 1833. Their 2nd daughter Harriet (for whom the seal inscribed 'Harriet', accompanied by an 1842 farthing was probably made), married Sir John Stuart Forbes (1804-1866) in 1834.

The crystal triple seal is engraved with monogram WB and the crest and arms of Belshes, probably for William Belsches of Tofts, only surviving son and heir of John Belshes, and who married his cousin Emilia Stuart Belsches in 1752.

The  group includes a number of examples engraved with the arms of Sir William Forbes, 7th baronet (1773-1828) who married on 19 January 1797, Williamina, only child and heiress of Sir John Stuart, 3rd Bt. of Fettercairn (previously, 1777-1797, Sir John Belsches Wishart, and before that John Belsches). The group also includes seals made for Sir John at various stages and also one engraved 'Williamina'.

The birdcage seal was supplied to Sir William Forbes, 6th baronet, by David & Alex. Deuchars, Edinburgh - 'A topaz seal block, £0-1-0, engraving a bird cage device, £0-5-0', 11 March 1790 (Acc. 4786/ box 217).

A matching pair of tassel-shaped examples with the arms of the 6th baronet can be identified with the seals supplied by William Berry of Edinburgh - 'fine white cornelian seal stone, £1-1-0, engraving his arms surrounded by the ribbon of the order of the baronet with the badge there to pendant, £3-3-0; fine red cornelian seal stone also ditto, engraving his coat of arms with the order of the baronet with the badge there to pendant', 11 June 1778. The baronetcy of Forbes of Pitsligo was a Nova Scotia baronetcy. Unlike English baronetcies, whose badge is the Red Hand of Ulster, the badge, which incorporates the arms of Scotland, is worn on a ribbon.

Generally excellent condition although some of the more fragile examples with bent handles; farthing worn; chatelaine rusted.
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