Posted 9 years ago
AngelaDixi…
(3 items)
My mother and I went to a local estate sale and she handed me a bag of vintage costume jewelry and I bought it. A few months later we finally went through everything. I was excited for this very unusual necklace? set of charms?
Neither she nor I could identify any part of this that would be worn on the body. The closer I looked, the more it looks like some sort of chain that would be fed into some machine-thing. Also, every design on each circle is different. There are over thirty and no design repeats. The designs remind me of the plaster circle decorations that go on the ceiling under lights and fans. These circles are the size of nickels.
I really, really want to know what this could be. Please help:)
I think these might be watchcocks which are inside old pocket watches. I have seen these made into brooches etc.
ANTIQUE ENGLISH GEORGIAN PERIOD GILT WATCH COCK NECKLACE & BRACELET SET c1800......found this listing in ebay.....looks very much like yours!
Absolutely right TassieDevil! You solved the mystery !
These cocks were parts of verge fusée watches :-)
Thanks kyratango, really happy that I can help someone else.....and I would be more than happy if I could find just one of these as a brooch!
TD...you are a rockstar. Thanks.
WOW! They are also called balance cocks! Who knew! Googling them - there are some stunning piece of jewelry made from them.
You learn something new here every day!
I went searching for more images and found this, TassieDevil: "Antique Brooch made with Verge Fusee Pocket Watch Balance Cock Part 1800s Gold Gilt Pin, Hand Pierced & Engraved, Green Man" https://www.etsy.com/listing/112098761/antique-brooch-made-with-verge-fusee?ref=market
Apparently, you weren't the only one.
Thanks AngelaDixieDooDa, and Celiene, there certainly are some lovely pieces. And yes we are all learning something new here all the time which is great!
Let's see if I have this right. These are the covers that go over the backs of watch movements ? And people collect them ? OK .
Yep Bb2, they are 18th and early 19th century, hand pierced and engraved with unique decor!
Here's one in the watch. You can see why there are all the seemingly random holes...screws used to be there.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Superb-Ben-Heeley-Deptfords-verge-fusee-Horn-paircase-1770-80-WORKING-/222100973846
Blunderbuss2 - haven't you learned by now people collect EVERYTHING!! I've even sold POTATO CHIP bags! Matchbooks, swizzle sticks, ice cream wrappers, ink blotters -scratcher lottery tickets! You name it - someone collects it!
NEVER throw away ANY manual watch movements even not working ones. People into Steampunk take them apart and use them, and all their parts for jewelry etc.!
Beautiful necklace & bracelet set here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-ENGLISH-GEORGIAN-PERIOD-GILT-WATCH-COCK-NECKLACE-BRACELET-SET-c1800-/290684278072
Guess we are pack rats. LOL