A Very Fine 19th Century Gilt Brass & Rock Crystal Desk Seal
Continental Circa 1850       
                   
The figure of a warrior in classical Roman attire, poised with one hand resting upon a shield, the opposing hand clutching a club slung over & behind his shoulder. Mounted upon a naturalistically modeled rocky mound atop a silver clad collar housing a finely carved rock crystal intaglio with a heraldic crest. His shield & anklets affixed with what appear to be small rubies. 
Overall height, 3 1/8”.                                                                                                                                                                            
Likely inspired by the Renaissance bronze by Bertoldo di Giovanni titled ‘The Shield Bearer’ presently in the Princely Collections, Liechtenstein.