Rock Crystal Intaglio Seal Depicting George Washington
Circa 1800 - 32 x 28 x 17 mm
 
A finely carved rock crystal intaglio seal depicting a right-facing profile portrait of George Washington in military uniform. Executed in a restrained neoclassical manner, the bust presents Washington with epaulette and high collar, reflecting the established iconography that shaped his public image in the years following the American Revolution.
 
Intaglio seals of this type were produced for mounting in desk seals or personal signets and were used to impress wax seals on documents and correspondence. Portraits of Washington proved especially popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, functioning both as practical objects and as expressions of patriotic sentiment in the early republic. The use of rock crystal, valued for its clarity and durability, allowed for a particularly refined engraving and luminous presentation.
 
Condition: Very fine, with minor inclusions and light wear consistent with age.