Posted 5 years ago
PortiasPar…
(4 items)
I bought this because I love Victorian items. Measures 31/2 inches long and has an amethyst stone. I think it was clipped to a lady’s skirt band and then the clip help a pocket watch. But I’m not entirely sure. Right below the amethyst stone there’s a hole in the setting that looks like something was once attached.
My questions are:
Does anyone know a year this was produced? Is it 1800’s or early 1900’s? The marking looks like PAZ with a bunch of scratches underneath( they are uniform so I think they are intentional).
And besides a bracelet has anyone seen an awesome way to use this? I’d like to see it more than just when I open my drawer. Point is, just sitting here. Thanks for looking
I have several of these lovely watch fob/watch ornaments. One or 2 of mine might get converted to a bracelet if I can ever bring myself to alter them; so far, I’m just enjoying their beauty.
Don’t assume it’s for a lady just because it’s ornate.
Gentlemen’s watch ornaments were a status symbol and a point of pride.
My own paternal grandfather was not a wealthy man but owned a beautiful gold watch fob/ornament a bit more ornate that yours (so being ornate had nothing to do with masculinity).
The clip held the device to the man’s vest - it’s nice that yours still has the lever device on the clip (sometimes that is missing).
The watch attached to the end of the chain; the watch was kept handy in the vest’s watch pocket.
The ring attached to your stone would likely have held a wax seal (whether functional as a wax seal or just decorative). The owner’s name or initials were usually on the bottom of the wax seal.
It’s possible it was a lady’s and clipped to a sash as you say but if you look at old photographs, you see women wearing their watches on chains around their necks. Those chains usually had lovely ornaments called “slides” that decorated plus kept the chain length regulated.
I have several slides still on the original chains and one very special slide that I’m incorporating into a necklace.
I’ll try to post it - it’s been in my family for many years.
Look on sites such as Pinterest and Etsy for ideas of how you can wear or display your watch ornament. They are beautiful incorporated into modern-day jewelry.
Look at old photographs to see how men originally wore them on their clothing.
I’m fascinated by these objects and I’m so glad you posted yours.
What you’re seeing as PAZ is actually PAT meaning patent.... that is only referring to that particular clip device.
I’ll check on some of mine to see if I have any with the same marking but more legible and let you know. :^)
Thank you SOOO much for this wealth of information. I’m glad I posted as well. Now I can envision correctly the way it was used. I sincerely enjoyed reading all your information, thanks!
Your post prompted me to look very closely at my own watch fobs/ornaments.
I have one which I’ve considered taking apart to remake, but now I’ve decided against doing that.
Here’s the reason for my change of heart: Using a loupe to see the almost imperceptible writing along the edges of the clasp that would hold the watch, I found the words, “Bates & Bacon”......Googling that name, I found the maker and company history!
Additionally, on the vest clasp lever I found, “pat’d Sept 22, 03”.
Knowing all about it now, I think I should just repair it’s very minor damage (it’s missing a few jump-rings which hold decorative sections together).
So, go over your attachment parts with magnification....answers may be there!
Thanks for the tips. I’ll look on those same spots and see if there’s anything on mine. Thanks Watchsearcher