Recently Sold (VICP125)

Jewelled Treasure - Victorian French 18K Gold Hand-Made Jewelled Watch Fob Pendant & 14K gold Italian Chain. This extraordinary watch fob is crafted from 18K gold, tested and confirmed, and hallmarked with French horse head hallmark. The chain is created from 14K gold, hallmarked 585 for 14K gold, and Italy. This wonderful fob features one natural step cut citrine, 12 natural round cut garnets, 18 natural turquoise cabochon gemstones, 6 natural seed pearls, early Victorian era styling, and high quality craftsmanship. This exquisite hand-made fob is created in rich buttery 18K yellow gold. The piece is dimensional, and expertly bezel set with a beautiful golden yellow citrine, red wine garnets, turquoise gems, and seed pearls. The citrine's bezel is decorated with a delicate rope design, whilst the smaller gemstones are set in silver collets, and bead-settings. This piece is masterfully made, and is a wonderful example of early victorian jewelry. The chain is a vintage belcher design, featuring a spring ring in perfect working order. This Victorian era watch fob looks fabulous on a watch chain or necklace chain, which can be worn today as a pendant. Truly a rare and special piece. 

Comments: Stunning and rare. These fobs are not often seen with so many jewels. 

Note: Appraisal included with the fob pendant & chain. Contemporary appraisals do-not reflect the value of antique jewelry.  Appraised at $4200.00 (Tax Excluded) 

History: In ancient times, people believed that citrine gemstones could calm tempers, soothe anger and manifest desires, especially prosperity. To leverage these powers, Egyptians used citrine gemstones as talismans, the ancient Greeks carved iconic images into them, and Roman priests fashioned them into rings. 

The history of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age, more than 5000 years ago. Its name, which has been used since these ancient times, was derived from the Latin word granatium, which means pomegranate (because the small, red crystals were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds).

The earliest evidence of turquoise gemstones comes from ancient Egyptian tombs, which contain elaborate turquoise jewelry dating back to 3000 BCE. Egyptians set turquoise in gold necklaces and rings, used it as inlay, and carved it into scarabs.

Persia's historical Khorasan region was the traditional source of Turquoise for many of the travelling salesmen in Central Asia and Europe at the time.It was from this trade, in fact, that the gemstone received its very name; the trade route into Europe passed through Turkey and the Old French name for anything Turkish ...

Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was considered the ultimate status symbol. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.

The term "fob" originates from the German words fuppe or fobke, meaning "small pocket". Historically dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. it referred to the small pocket in men's waistcoats designed to hold pocket watches, as well as the short chain or ribbon attached to the watch to pull it out easily. Now-a-days these little treasures have been given a second life, and beautifully taking centre stage as a pendant on a chain around the neck. 

In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901.

Measurements: Watch Fob Pendant  32.50 mm x 17.50 mm     Chain: 18" 

Stone Size: Citrine 7.80 carats   Garnet .12 carats   Turquoise .18 carats    Seed Pearl 1.00 mm 

Weight: 8.64 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: France 

Date: Circa 1840