A Hardstone and Gold Desk Seal, English Circa 1850
The bloodstone handle of cut-cornered rectangular form with domed top and tapering stem, the reeded gold collar with a chased scrolled girdle and cushion, the shaped rectangular bloodstone matrix engraved with a coat of arms, crest and motto: Candide comme la fleur
The arms, crest and motto are those of Fenton, impaling Foster of Lincoln and York. Pedigrees of this Fenton family go back to the 15th century and earlier in the county of York, being particularly associated with Leeds. Descended from this family was Kirkby Fenton of Charwood Forest, Leicestershire, JP< who married Charlotte, daughter of the Revd. John Foster of Winckersley, and died in 1872 leaving two daughters.