Posted 1 year ago
Steptoe1
(1937 items)
Hello I’ve just rediscovered this lovely silver charm, very well made and I think it’s antique, went through a time of collecting charms, this is another old find
Antique silver charm | ||
| Unsolved mystery items1499 of 96329 |  |  |
Looks like the bottom opens up?
Yeah I thought that but it seems stuck & I don’t wanna force it,
Steptoe1, Very cool. :-)
I'm wondering why you didn't identify this charm as a representation of what is commonly known as the Tower of Big Ben (Big Ben actually is the large bell inside the tower). Was it too obvious?
Here is a Google Street View of Big Ben from the west, roughly the way you have the charm positioned in your first picture:
Big Ben
London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GH3dxEpZ1Qaxa8Mx6
I did some poking around in the history of Big Ben, and this Esquire article about the history and recent restoration is great (my favorite tidbit is that the restored color of the frames and hands of the clock faces is not black, but rather Prussian Blue):
https://www.esquire.com/uk/design/a38785458/big-ben-history-and-future/
About the only thing the Esquire piece doesn't cover fully is the name of the tower.
Originally, it didn't have a name, but journalists used to call it informally St. Stephen's Tower, and then in 2012 it was officially named the Elizabeth Tower:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben
I found one charm similar to yours on eBay, and apparently that hinged compartment opens to reveal a miniature key (see pictures). Dunno for sure, but the key might symbolize the fact that the Big Ben clock is mechanical, and needs to be wound:
*snip*
Rare Vintage Silver Charm London Big ben Opens To Key 925 Sterling 3.4g
*snip*
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Silver-Charm-London-Big-ben-Opens-To-Key-925-Sterling-3-4g/264729520339
So you might consider taking it to a jeweler to have it opened safely.
Thanks kerra great help and advice, yes I just assumed everyone would know, it crossed my mind for a second. It’s stuck fast but glad to hear that it definitely should open as I wasn’t sure.