Chain - EXCLUSIVE
06
days
22
hours
32
minutes
11
seconds
Current bid
€ 100
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Laura Trevino
She has 15 years' auction experience, specialising in vintage jewellery from 1920 to 2000.
Estimate € 400 - € 450
 | €100 |
|---|
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Antique nineteenth‑century pocket watch chain with a secret seal pendant and a hidden book‑like interior, dated 1875–1885, in good condition, total weight 45 g, length 37 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Splendid and elegant complete pocket set, a perfect testament to sentimental, utilitarian, and symbolic jewelry of the late 19th century. This unique lot unites the functionality of a watch chain with the rarity of a personal seal containing a secret photo-holder pendant. Historical Curiosities and Symbolic Details:
The Engraving and Seal Function: The front of the pendant features a magnificent profile incised inward on dark hard stone (obsidian or black onyx). It depicts a classical warrior with a Roman helmet, a motif greatly favored in the Late Victorian era that evoked virtues such as courage and honor. This element was born precisely as a personal seal: pressing it onto warm wax enabled signing and sealing private letters.
The Hidden "Hermetic" Interior: In addition to being a seal, the pendant opens like a book via an invisible side hinge. The interior reveals a concealed world: two compartments richly etched with floral motifs and scrolls, designed to hold miniature portraits or hair strands. In 19th-century culture, this system kept private affections entirely sealed and invisible to outsiders.
The T-Bar with Integrated Charging Key: Another ingenious feature of high utility for the era. In addition to attaching the chain to the waistcoat, the end of the bar functions as a genuine original key for winding the pocket watch movement and adjusting the hands.
Style and Craftsmanship: The shield-shaped frame features vertical geometric carvings typical of the Neo-Gothic and Historicist style of the 1880s. The finely linked chain comes with an original spring-loaded clasp from the same period.
Dating and Condition: The piece can be accurately dated between 1875 and 1885. It is in excellent conservation condition, with a splendid patina of time on the gold plating attesting to its authenticity. The pendant’s opening mechanism is snappy and solid, the spring of the clasp is perfectly functional, and the hard stone of the seal is intact and free of cracks.
A complete, rare collectible piece with mysterious charm, ideal for connoisseurs of antique horology, lovers of ancient seals, or collectors of Victorian rarities.
Seller's Story
Lover of beauty … of curiosities .. Of art.. Of the sacred.. of the profane .. I have lost
Catawiki gave me the opportunity to make my collection known to other connoisseurs ..
That is the true meaning of collecting ; sharing ..
and a piece will never be well-collected unless it reaches another eye that appreciates it, another destination, another showcase ..
Through the ages of ages ..
Davide
Translated by Google TranslateSplendid and elegant complete pocket set, a perfect testament to sentimental, utilitarian, and symbolic jewelry of the late 19th century. This unique lot unites the functionality of a watch chain with the rarity of a personal seal containing a secret photo-holder pendant. Historical Curiosities and Symbolic Details:
The Engraving and Seal Function: The front of the pendant features a magnificent profile incised inward on dark hard stone (obsidian or black onyx). It depicts a classical warrior with a Roman helmet, a motif greatly favored in the Late Victorian era that evoked virtues such as courage and honor. This element was born precisely as a personal seal: pressing it onto warm wax enabled signing and sealing private letters.
The Hidden "Hermetic" Interior: In addition to being a seal, the pendant opens like a book via an invisible side hinge. The interior reveals a concealed world: two compartments richly etched with floral motifs and scrolls, designed to hold miniature portraits or hair strands. In 19th-century culture, this system kept private affections entirely sealed and invisible to outsiders.
The T-Bar with Integrated Charging Key: Another ingenious feature of high utility for the era. In addition to attaching the chain to the waistcoat, the end of the bar functions as a genuine original key for winding the pocket watch movement and adjusting the hands.
Style and Craftsmanship: The shield-shaped frame features vertical geometric carvings typical of the Neo-Gothic and Historicist style of the 1880s. The finely linked chain comes with an original spring-loaded clasp from the same period.
Dating and Condition: The piece can be accurately dated between 1875 and 1885. It is in excellent conservation condition, with a splendid patina of time on the gold plating attesting to its authenticity. The pendant’s opening mechanism is snappy and solid, the spring of the clasp is perfectly functional, and the hard stone of the seal is intact and free of cracks.
A complete, rare collectible piece with mysterious charm, ideal for connoisseurs of antique horology, lovers of ancient seals, or collectors of Victorian rarities.
Seller's Story
Lover of beauty … of curiosities .. Of art.. Of the sacred.. of the profane .. I have lost
Catawiki gave me the opportunity to make my collection known to other connoisseurs ..
That is the true meaning of collecting ; sharing ..
and a piece will never be well-collected unless it reaches another eye that appreciates it, another destination, another showcase ..
Through the ages of ages ..
Davide
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1400-1900
Laboratory report
No laboratory report
Estimated period
1850-1900
Brand jewellery
No
Total weight
45 g
Condition
Good condition - used with some signs of wear
Gender
Men
Title additional information
EXCLUSIVE
Length
37 cm
Sold by
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Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every object in line with our submission guidelines. While we strive to provide a detailed description and photographs of each jewellery object, discrepancies or inaccuracies may occur. It is your responsibility to review all of the information provided about an object, including the condition and description, before placing an order. Sellers are responsible for the information, pictures and description provided, including the quality, quantity and nature of the jewelry supplied. A small imperfection that cannot be seen in the photo but is included in the description is not a non-conformity. A Lab Report is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal regarding the articles described therein. A Lab Report contains only the characteristics of an article described after it has been graded, tested, examined, and analyzed using the techniques and equipment used at the time of the examination from that specific Lab. The results of any other examination performed on the article may differ depending when, how, by whom and with which grading standard the article is examined. In addition, any changes and improvements in techniques and equipment that may have occurred which may enable the examiner to detect, among other things, the use of processes for altering the characteristics of an article which use was previously undetectable, does not automatically mean the object does not conform to its description.
Catawiki always aims to offer you the best possible buying experience. Our experts virtually review and select every object in line with our submission guidelines. While we strive to provide a detailed description and photographs of each jewellery object, discrepancies or inaccuracies may occur. It is your responsibility to review all of the information provided about an object, including the condition and description, before placing an order. Sellers are responsible for the information, pictures and description provided, including the quality, quantity and nature of the jewelry supplied. A small imperfection that cannot be seen in the photo but is included in the description is not a non-conformity. A Lab Report is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal regarding the articles described therein. A Lab Report contains only the characteristics of an article described after it has been graded, tested, examined, and analyzed using the techniques and equipment used at the time of the examination from that specific Lab. The results of any other examination performed on the article may differ depending when, how, by whom and with which grading standard the article is examined. In addition, any changes and improvements in techniques and equipment that may have occurred which may enable the examiner to detect, among other things, the use of processes for altering the characteristics of an article which use was previously undetectable, does not automatically mean the object does not conform to its description.
