An early 19th century armorial fob seal, the cushion-shaped hardstone engraved with a coat of arms, within a gold scroll mount with chased border of shells, scrolls and foliage, length 37mm. £600-£800

The arms are those of Banks or Bankes as borne by Sir Joseph Banks of Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire (1743-1820), the celebrated botanist, patron of the natural sciences, and President of the Royal Society between 1778 until his death. He was married to Dorothea, daughter of William Weston Hugessen (1758-1828).