Truly hypnotizing Edwardian mechanical pendant with diamonds and enamel on chain

One most peculiar piece of antique jewelry we ever came along, this mechanical pendant.... to say the least. Made by high skilled craftsmen, in platinum and gold. Beautifully enameled over an engraved background with lacey type work set with diamonds.... but what is it? We have no idea, does it have a purpose like hypnothizing or is it made just for the fun of it?

Check the movie that we made, to see the mechanical part moving.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant on chain

Condition: very good condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: unknown

Style: Edwardian - The Edwardian era or Edwardian period in the United Kingdom is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 and the succession of her son, Edward, marked the start of a new century and the end of the Victorian era. While Victoria had shunned society, Edward was the leader of a fashionable elite which set a style influenced by the art and fashions of continental Europe—perhaps because of the King's fondness for travel. The era was marked by significant shifts in politics as sections of society which had been largely excluded from wielding power in the past, such as common labourers and women, became increasingly politicised.
  -  See also: Edwardian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The fineness of line and lacey aspect of the piece are typical for the Edwardian period.

Period: ca. 1910
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: platinum and 18K yellow gold
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Extra information: When we got this jewel in it took our skilled craftsmen almost three years to get it back into its original working condition. However once working, we noticed how fragile the turning part was just by wearing. And to avoid that it would become in the bad state we received it, we decided to build a case with glass over the turning top. Of course we did this into the same way the original maker would do it too. But we find it important to be open about this "alteration".

Diamond(s): 25 old brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.36ct. (colour and clarity: G/J, vs/i).
85 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

- All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: diameter pendant 4,2, length necklace 45,00 cm (17,72 inch)

Weight: 46,20 gram (29,71 dwt)

Reference Nº: 13050-0038

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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