Essex Jewelry and Antiques
10k Gold & Hair Victorian Memorial Mourning Watch Chain c1850s
Regular price
$273.60
Presented is an old 10K gold and hair Victorian memorial watch chain. The watch chain is made of dark brown braided and twisted hair. The hair is bound at three points with pieces of 10K gold. The gold is engraved with detailed designs of scrolls and leaves. One end piece has a T bar, and the other end has a loop that opens with a screw clasp to allow a watch or fob to be hung securely. The center gold piece also has a loop for hanging a watch or fob.
The watch chain is not marked, but we have tested all the metal parts with nitric acid and guarantee everything other than the hair to be 10K gold.
This piece is American-made and dates from the 1840s through the 1860s, probably the 1850s or early 1860s.
Some of the braided hair has come loose as you can see in the photos, but the chain is still very strong and useable. There are no cracks, no breaks, and no repairs.
The watch chain is 13 3/4 inches long.
The weight is 13.8 grams.