A rare antique 19th century Austro-Hungarian wax seal wheel, desk stamp with 8 intaglios matrices with imagery representing good luck, each engraved from colorful semi-precious gem stones. Featuring 12K yellow gold mounts, the gold spinning wheel with support arms decorated with a motif of leaves and berries. Two ruby cabochons adorn the pivot. The gold collar is surmounted to a tapered handle of green onyx stone. Bearing a Hungarian AV Auslandsverkehr import mark for 1868-1872. Another small hallmark is indecipherable on one of the spokes. In overall good antique condition with general signs of use and age. No chips or cracks to beautiful gemstone intaglios. Measures 2 5/16" length x 1" wide x 1/2" deep.
The intaglios measures 1/4" diameter. Each with a beautifully engraved intaglio of a symbol representing good luck, wealth, and happiness. Very rare piece and one that will stand out among collections for its quality materials and lucky symbolism.
Amethyst: Mushroom - a symbol of good fortune and immortality.
Green Chalcedony: Four Leaf Clover - Clovers were thought to bring on good fortune, success, prosperity, karma and well wishes to its possessor.
Citrine: Pig - Long been associated with prosperity and abundance in many cultures. Pigs and chimney sweeps were typically linked together in tradition as good luck charms, as was customary for the town chimney sweep to tote a pig through the streets on New Year's Day.
Citrine: Chimney Sweep - A dangerous but necessary profession, your home was made safer by the services of the chimney sweep to remove soot from the hearth and chimney. In Germany, Austria, Hungary, and in contiguous regions, the Chimney Sweep is considered a particularly auspicious omen of Good Luck if you meet with him on New Year's Day or on your wedding.
Blue Chalcedony: Spider: The Victorian era was steeped in symbolism and spiders were associated with wisdom, an ancient and powerful symbol which embody many traits and interpretations, including resourcefulness, creation and feminine energy.
Garnet: Ladybug - Almost all world cultures believe that a ladybug is lucky; killing one is said to bring sorrow and misfortune. If a ladybug is held in the hand while making a wish, some believe the direction that it flies away shows from where your luck will come. If a ladybug landed on their bodies they would receive something new: on their hands—new gloves, on their heads—a new hat. Chinese legend links the ladybug with love. If a ladybug comes to call, true love will follow.