England, late 19th century
A late Victorian watch key in 9ct gold and set with bloodstone and a polished white hardstone, most likely chalcedony, a material widely used in 19th-century watch accessories and fob jewellery.
Bloodstone (heliotrope) was valued in the Victorian period for its associations with strength, endurance, and protection, and was commonly employed in seals, fobs, and watch keys. White chalcedony, often described contemporaneously as white agate, was favoured for its durability and soft, even polish, and carried connotations of clarity and sincerity.
The key represents an essential object from the period before keyless winding mechanisms, when watches required daily manual winding. Such keys were frequently worn on watch chains and combined practical function with decorative and symbolic intent. The restrained gold mount reflects the utilitarian elegance characteristic of late Victorian watch jewellery.
Now worn as a pendant, supplied on a 45cm 14ct gold-filled chain.
Details
Metal: 9ct gold
Stones: Bloodstone and white chalcedony (hardstone)
Weight: 2 grams
Dimensions: 3 cm x 1 cm
England, late 19th century
A late Victorian watch key in 9ct gold and set with bloodstone and a polished white hardstone, most likely chalcedony, a material widely used in 19th-century watch accessories and fob jewellery.
Bloodstone (heliotrope) was valued in the Victorian period for its associations with strength, endurance, and protection, and was commonly employed in seals, fobs, and watch keys. White chalcedony, often described contemporaneously as white agate, was favoured for its durability and soft, even polish, and carried connotations of clarity and sincerity.
The key represents an essential object from the period before keyless winding mechanisms, when watches required daily manual winding. Such keys were frequently worn on watch chains and combined practical function with decorative and symbolic intent. The restrained gold mount reflects the utilitarian elegance characteristic of late Victorian watch jewellery.
Now worn as a pendant, supplied on a 45cm 14ct gold-filled chain.
Details
Metal: 9ct gold
Stones: Bloodstone and white chalcedony (hardstone)
Weight: 2 grams
Dimensions: 3 cm x 1 cm
