A beautiful kiln-fired enamel plaque surmounts the locket into which one would put a pocket watch, and is repeated on the face of the top of this chatelaine. Complete and beautiful in display, but it is missing the latch panel from the top so cannot in this form be worn as a chatelaine without some modification (see images of back). However, for display, it is superb! A pocket watch key and a wax seal or scrap dangle from chains and one is provided with clasp for the fob of a pocket watch. The backside of the holder still has it's undamaged beveled cover glass. Two elegantly worked kiln-fired enamel plaques would be copper and the white metal is not sterling but is very beautiful. Look also at the kiln-fired enamel work framing each fo the enamel plaques. Gorgeous old thing!
Very good to excellent but for the fact that someone has at some point removed the clip panel which should be hinged to the back top, which makes it a usable chatelaine. There is no way to actually wear this one as it is, but it displays so beautifully and is in such fine condition on enamels and all, the value remains intact. Dating Napoleon III, or mid-Victorian in era (c.1850-70s). Lovely old thing. It is 6 3/8" long, the watch holder is 1 5/8" in diameter and 3/4" thick. The top framed plaque is 2 1/8" long x 1 1/2" wide. Superbly crafted, 2 convex plaques, kiln-fired work on copper or perhaps silver. A mark on inside of the watch locket.