French 19th Century Bloodstone Intaglio Signet

A superb antique French signet seal ring dating to the second half of the 19th century, circa 1870. In the centre, a flat bloodstone of a cross shape has been intricately carved to depict an unusual coat of arms with a heraldic Gallic rooster or ‘coq Gaulois’ holding what appears to be a mitten gauntlet - a type of hand armour worn by knights (or possibly a jug of wine - which would make this motif so unapologetically French!).

This intaglio would have been used to create wax seals for important family deeds and letters. The stone is set in an intricately engraved and seriously impressive mount, crafted in 18K gold.

The bloodstone of impressive quality displays equidistant bright red splatters across the green background with high contrast - the most prized variety of the stone. It is the March birthstone, historically known as the ‘stone of courage’, worn by warriors in battle for protection and to stop bleeding wounds.

UK ring size J/US size 4.75, 7.15g, bloodstone measures 12mm in diameter. The band measures 3mm at the back and 14mm at the front (north to south). The outer band carries a French ‘owl’ control mark for 18K gold.

The ring is in excellent condition and is without doubt one of the finest examples of a 19th century intaglio ring that we have come across. What makes this particular example so unusual, aside from the rooster motif, is the shape of the bloodstone itself - we are yet to come across another example.

One of the national emblems of France, the Coq Gaulois (the Gallic Rooster) decorated French flags during the Revolution. It is the symbol of the French people because of the play on words of the Latin gallus meaning Gaul and gallus meaning coq, or rooster.