Agate & Onyx : Antique 9ct Watch Key set with Hardstones

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A sweet golden pocket watch key from the Georgian era, circa 1820s. Decorated in the rococo style with open roses in the chased details and set on one side with a circle of onyx, and sardonyx on the other. Either (or both!) of the hardstones could be personalised by a lapidary with an engraving of your choice.

Agate and onyx are both varieties of layered chalcedony. Onyx we usually recognise as being a black stone and agate orange (although there are many exceptions to this). Sardonyx in jewellery is banded agate. It has been used to wonderful effect in cameos and intaglios where the top layer is carved to reveal the coloured layer beneath. Should you choose to have the sardonyx engraved it will reveal the lovely orange layer beneath. At the time this watch key was made, carved agate intaglios were often used as a wax seal for securing letters and other messages, making this charming item utilitarian as well as beautiful.

The pocket watch key measures 35mm x 12.75mm x 7.43mm and weighs 2.8 grams.
The hardstone inserts have a 8.15mm diameter.

The watch key is not hallmarked, which is correct for pieces of this vintage. The metal content has been verified as 9ct by XRF test.

The end of the watch key (the ‘key’ part) had a few dents in it when i found it. I probably should have left it be, but ever the perfectionist I asked my jeweller to do her best with it. She replaced the damaged hollow cylinder with a solid piece of 9ct gold. This means that the key will no longer wind your watch (unless you have the centre drilled out I guess!) but has improved its aesthetic appearance.

Description

A sweet golden pocket watch key from the Georgian era, circa 1820s. Decorated in the rococo style with open roses in the chased details and set on one side with a circle of onyx, and sardonyx on the other. Either (or both!) of the hardstones could be personalised by a lapidary with an engraving of your choice.

The pocket watch key measures 35mm x 12.75mm x 7.43mm and weighs 2.8 grams.