A rare and unusual gold and carnelian seal bracelet, Samuel Arnd, St Petersburg, circa 1860-70, the seal Ottoman, 18th century

the swivelling hardstone seal engraved on one side with the name of the bearer Mustafa and dated 1718-19 in the centre, a Turkish quatrain in the cartouches, the reverse with the name of the bearer Ibrahim Sarim, possibly the earlier bearer's son, and dated 1769-70 in the centre, a Persian quatrain in the cartouches, both sides with invocations to God in small letters in the corners of the cartouches, the mount and flexible link bracelet engraved overall with religious invocations in Persian script, struck with workmaster's initials, 56 standard

Excellent condition. Good weight. A most interesting object.
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This unusual object attests to the complicated history of Russian relations with Persia and Turkey in the 19th century.  After the mid 18th century, with the Qajarid dynasty in power in Persia, Russian colonisation advanced from the north and by the late 19th century, the Empire's dominance throughout the country was pronounced.  Meanwhile, the Ottoman Turks remained at the mercy of the Russians until the intervention of Britain, France and Sardinia in the Crimean War of 1853-56. 

The commercial trade and exchange of diplomatic gifts which followed resulted in an influx of exotic objects into Russia, including the magnificent collection of Persian enamels now in the Hermitage and, presumably, the 18th century Ottoman seal of the present lot.  Its journey into the hands of Samuel Arnd, the most prestigious jeweller in St Petersburg at the time, and the commissioning of the bracelet remain a mystery.  What seems certain, given the quality and confidence of the Persian script engraved onto the gold, is that Arnd employed a Persian engraver to do this work, signifying that craftsmen as well as objects made their way north into Russia.