A very striking and quite large 9ct gold clasp that was made circa 1800-1820. It has been set with twenty foiled flat cut almandine garnet. Within them are well matched natural split pearls. In the centre is finely woven hair so this piece of jewellery was most likely a memorial clasp and would originally been attached to seven strands of pearls or a velvet band and worn as a bracelet. It has a clasp on either side and the letters MR engraved on the reverse.}

An unusual 18ct gold book shaped pendant that hinges opens to reveal three viewing holes. Originally you would have looked through these tiny holes and would have seen some miniature photographs as there are three holes on the spine of the book as well. Unfortunately there are no photographs there now but it is still a fascinating survival from the 1880s. It has been enamelled with ivy leaves on one side and a monogram on the other.  The photos would most likely have been of family members. It has been enamelled with ivy leaves on one side and a monogram on the other. I have included here an article from Wikpedia which explains more about the history of the Stanhope. Stanhopes  are optical devices that enable the viewing of microphotographs without using a microscope. They were invented by Rene Dagron in 1857. Dagron bypassed the need for an expensive microscope to view the microscopic photographs by attaching the microphotograph at the end of a modified Stanhope lens. He called the devices bijoux photo-microscopiques or microscopic photo-jewelry. In 1862, Dagron displayed the devices at the Exhibition in London, where he got an "Honourable Mention" and presented them to Queen Victoria. In 1864 Dagron became famous when he produced a stanhope optical viewer which enabled the viewing of a microphotograph 1 square millimetre (0.0016 sq in), (equivalent in size to the head of a pin), that included the portraits of 450 people.}

A good hand made silver quizzing glass that was made circa 1820. It would look great on a silver chain.}

A wonderful set of three silver gilt and horn combs in their original case. They were retailed by E.Urgel in Toulouse. They are typical of the Belle Epoque period circa 1900-1910 and would have been worn in a chignon style.}

A beautiful quizzing glass that was made circa 1830-1850. Quizzers such as this one were very popular at that period as they were the only means of magnification apart from steel rimmed spectacles or monocles. it magnifies to around times five so would be a useful and very decorative accoutrement to wear.}

An interesting 18ct gold Hunter watch, so called because it is covered on both sides and the dial is only revealed when one side is opened. It was made in Switzerland circa 1900-1910 and has two flowers on the front set with rose diamonds and a ruby. Inside the dial has black numerals and fine gold hands. It is a well made and decorative piece of jewellery to wear on a chain.}

An early 19th Century French verge watch in a turquoise set three colour gold half hunter case. It has a full plate gilt fusee movement. Finely pierced and engraved bridge cock with polished steel end stone, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring. Silver regulator dial with blue steel indicator. Winding through the engine turned gold dial, Roman numerals, blue steel hands. It is signed inside "Le Roy". Le Roy is a well known firm that was founded by Julien Le Roy over two hundred and fifty years ago.}

A pretty watch key made circa 1820 that has been set with a bloodstone on one side and a pale agate on the other. These small watch keys are highly decorative and can be worn on their own, on a charm bracelet, or with a small collection of other keys and seals on a mid length chain.}

A lovely 18ct gold sûreté pin with a blue chalcedony bead on either end that was made in the 1920s. Between the two sections of the beads are faceted rock crystal. The one bead can be unscrewed in order to attach it through clothing. A sûreté is a stick pin with a fixed ornament on one end and a detachable ornament on the other. There was a fashion for these pins in the early 1900s. They come in all shapes and sizes from Chinese influenced ones to quite simple and striking pins such as this one.}

An unusual 15ct two colour gold thimble set with gem stones that spell Regard. (Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond) in a leaf and flower design around the thimble. It has a monogram M.A. and was made circa 1830.}

A clip that was made in the 1920s in France and carved out of horn in a leaf design. Clips such as this one were very popular in the 1920s and can be worn as an accessory today equally well.}

A rare hair slide which was made in the height of the Belle Epoque period in 1910. This would have been placed in a chignon. It is wonderful to imagine how beautiful the women would have looked with their silk and lace dresses, hair swept up with a piece such as this. It is the finest gold work set with diamonds, sapphires and natural pearls on to a blond tortoiseshell comb.}

Sampson Mordan who was born in 1790 and died in 1843, was a silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. During his youth, he was an apprentice of the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah, who patented the first elastic ink reservoir for a fountain pen. In 1822, Mordan and his co-inventor John Isaac Hawkins filed the first patent in Great Britain for a metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite "lead" shaft forward during use, as an improvement on the less complex lead holders that merely clutched the pencil lead to hold it into a single position. These pencils are now highly collectible Mordan bought out Hawkins and entered into a business partnership with Gabriel Riddle, an established stationer. From 1823 to 1837, they manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the marking "SMGR". After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as "S. Mordan & Co." This gold pencil which also has a pen nib is marked S.Mordan & Co. Inset in to the top is a bloodstone with an engraved monogram.}

A pretty set of six silver Victorian buttons with five angel's heads on each button. They were made circa 1880-1900.}

A useful silver quizzer as they are called. It was made in 1903 in Birmingham. It has good magnification to times ten as a rough estimate. These types of quizzers alway look great worn on a medium length silver chain. They are decorative and very practical pieces of jewellery.}

An attractive silver bookmark of an owl. It was made in 1993 in Birmingham. It would be a great present for an owl enthusiast!}

An unusual articulated silver hanging brooch with a watch inside. It was most likely made in Germany in the 1920s. It has been set with graded marcasite (iron pyrites) in a palmette design that was strongly influenced by the Egyptian discoveries in that period.}

An attractive Art Nouveau ladies watch. The case is 18ct gold with an enamel design on either side and bordered with leaves. The sides are also decorated. The strap is a gold plated mesh strap marked Tessuflex. The movement is by the Swiss firm "Mira". It was established in 1896. It's name was derived from a binary star, 350 light years away from Earth. The star was discovered by astronomer David Fabricius in 1596 and later named by Johannes Hevelius in 1662 as “MIRA”, meaning “wonderful” and “astonishing” in Latin.}

A very striking large Art Nouveau silver hatpin in a thistle design that was made circa 1900 in Birmingham. Hatpins reached a peak of popularity between the 1890s and 1920s, as music hall actresses like Lillian Russell and Lillie Langtry fuelled the popularity of large elaborate hats without bonnet strings. Having originated in the 1850s to secure straw hats, hatpins became longer and more ornate over time until in 1910 the hatpin length, with the stems alone reached 10 to 12 inches. This hatpin is a good example of what was produced in the 1900s and would be ideal for a collector.}

A striking Victorian hair pin which could also be worn in a hat. The design is based on a flower with radiating petals in Vauxhall glass. It was made circa 1880 when it was fashionable to wear black jewellery in sympathy with the Queen, Victoria, who was in mourning for Prince Albert.}

A fine quality 18ct gold watch with a bow brooch above. It was made circa 1900, and is most probably French made for export as it carries "18K" marks. The deep blue enamel is translucent so that you can see the rays of engine turned engraving beneath. The lyre motif is set with rose diamonds. There are tiny "fleur de lis" applied in gold around the lyre. The bow brooch is also set with rose diamonds and has applied stars within the blue and white enamel.}

An unusual set of four horn buttons that were made circa 1880-1900. Each one has a brass head of a horse mounted on to the horn.}

A set of six buttons with scenes of a stag in woodland, Hunting dogs, a sportsman with gun, a rabbit, a pheasant and a fox. They were made in France circa 1880-1900. We also have another set of six if wanted.}

This 9ct gold and gun metal mounted pencil was made circa 1890. It has the original pencil inside. Pieces like this pencil can be worn with a bunch of other things and look best on a mid length gold chain.}

A 9ct gold pencil that can be worn as an item on a chain with other pieces. It is a decorative piece and pulls out to reveal the pencil. It was made circa 1880-1900.}

A fantastic quality silver case that would originally have been used for small cigarettes. It has been engraved on the silver and then enamelled with translucent enamel. The subject is a small French bulldog. The press button is a cabochon pale blue stone.}

An extraordinary 18ct gold hatpin that was made circa 1800 in France. It is composed of twenty five flower clusters, each set with a turquoise which literally mean "Forget me not" after the flower of the same name.It is still in it's original case. It is a rare piece and would be an amazing addition to a collection.}

A good, large and striking 18th century silver buckle. It was made in France circa 1780-1800, and has a two wonderful bows top and bottom.}

Spanning the reigns of 16 British Monarchs, Firmin & Sons, at the age of 360 years, can be said to be one of the 25 oldest established companies in the United Kingdom and is among the 500 oldest companies in the world. They have produced some of the finest buttons over the years. This set has six large and six small buttons with a crest of an eagle. They may well have been made for a High Sheriff. They are silver fronted with metal backs.}

A most unusual Art Nouveau gold pen which features a pansy coiling around the stem. It is set with a cabochon sapphire. It is most likely Austrian origin and is 14ct gold, and was made circa 1900-1910.}

An unusual pair of hatpins which are composed of amethyst, rock crystal and rose quartz. They are in the shape of acorns and in their original Vickery case. They were made circa 1900-1910.}

A fine example of Marcasite (iron pyrites) work inlaid in Sterling Silver with detailed strap. The hallmark dates the watch to 1960, made in Birmingham with maker's mark 'Y & E' The round face is easy to read and is marked 'Provita'.}

A very intriguing piece, this miniature, painted on ivory, is highly detailed. It has a silver frame and was most likely made circa 1870, although it could be earlier.}

This is a handsome watch in good working condition.  It was made between 1910-1920. Niello is a black mixture of copper silver and lead sulphides used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal. It is a complicated process and the end result is lovely. The watch is in good condition and has a small gold applied section with initials on it.}

A most unusual early version of a Vesta. This literally means a lighter. It is French and has a pullout flint which when struck on the side of the vesta ignites.}

A good pair of Georgian cut steel buckles which have a left and a right setting in their original case.}

A pretty Art Nouveau scarf clip carved in horn with a swallow motif.}

An unusual buckle with two miniatures on ivory, made circa 1890. It is silver.}

For anyone who needs a little magnification, these lorgnettes are great, and very stylish to wear. The main body is tortoishelle with silver hinges etc. These were made circa 1890.}

A beautiful lady's Art Deco platinum watch with a clear round face set with old eight-cut diamonds. The watch is stamped for platinum on the inside. Total carat weight: 50 points The strap is a later addition, stamped and dated London 1954 and is marked 9ct white gold. It has 3 sections to clip into, for different size wrists.}