Around 1800, small glass intaglios known as Tassies became fashionable for sealing letters. Named after Scottish gem engraver James Tassie, who developed a method of reproducing carved gems in colored glass paste, they often featured sentimental mottos and classical imagery. This yellow glass Tassie was salvaged from a broken Georgian wax seal wheel and reset in 14k gold. “A letter softens the pain of absence” appears on the image of a paper envelope. At a time when correspondence could take weeks or months to arrive (if at all!) a handwritten letter was a thrilling, treasured connection between loved ones. In OUR time, when communication is instant, what does it mean to you?