Signet photos on Flickr

By Robert Reid, 1810 (exterior) and William Stark, 1812-13 (interior) with staircase by W H Playfair, 1819 and William Burn, 1834. Symmetrical, 3-storey and basement, 19-bay Classical purpose-built library.

Outstanding, little altered Neo-Classical library of nave and aisles design with bays separated by fluted Corinthian columns and decorative metal anthemion balustraded balconies. Shallow saucer dome above with painted frieze. Semi-elliptical coffered ceiling. Dentilled and finely carved decorative cornice. Stained glass window to W installed in 1889 by James Ballantine for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Stair hall with Ionic and Corinthian columned screens and coffered dome.

The Signet Library is an outstanding example of 19th century Classical architecture with one of the finest Neo-Classical interiors in the country. The entrance elevation at Parliament Square is a well-detailed unified façade, which is continuous with the front façade of 2-11 Parliament Square by Robert Reid. The internal decorative scheme is exceptional with opulent ornamentation and intricate detail in both libraries and in the stair hall. The coffered ceiling and central dome are particularly notable.

The library building was originally conceived as having one library on the ground floor for the Writers to the Signet, with the upper floor library belonging to the Faculty of Advocates. Robert Reid designed the exterior, but William Stark (1770-1813) was asked to complete the interior decoration as both the Faculty of Advocates and the Writers to the Signet preferred his designs to those of Reid. Shortly after the building was completed in 1822, the Faculty of Advocates decided to build their own separate library to the South of this one and the upper storey was sold to the Writers to the Signet for £12,000. When the 2 libraries came under the same ownership, William Burn designed a grand imperial stair to connect the two. This new staircase incorporated a Corinthian-columned screen by William Playfair which had been part of the previous entrance hall.

"treasure in the desert"...creative photo attempt by dagutzyone 

8

learnin how to do some creative shots

Lovely mans ring ( tho most ladies would like), 14 kt gold signet

normal wear ,

(size prob 9 or 10... large for my thumb, i have small hands. will dig out sizer and correct.)

right at .50 oz or 15 grams approx

NOTE:

yes im liquidating house full OLD stuff so postin pic learnin to be more creative in my shooting... flickr has really help me improve

VERY nice piece, slight engraving inside and very light on top..(i did as a dental assist LOL) will buff out nicely and will be perfect!

had since 1963!

Signet Ring by Mike Fitzpatrick

2 2

gold

1st Century

Pompeii

Signet rings were unique to their owner and were worn by both men and women. They were engraved with the owner's name or had an engraving of the owner's mark, a symbol or figure. These signet rings feature the figures cupid, victory, and a hero. They would have pressed their owner's mark on document seals or to make purchases.

Signet by Mike.Pursey