I am always on the lookout for Georgian split rings, those lovely gold or gold chased loops sitting on top of each other and used to attached fobs, charms and pendants to a chain. Every now and then you can find such a ring with a few fobs attached. Recently, I was lucky , finding one with 7 fobs. I thought I would look at each of those fobs as, altogether, they make a lovely collection, ready to hang from a watch or Albert chain. First though, let’s admire the split ring. It is a good size, 1.5cms in diameter, gold, with ornate engraving.

Then there is a lovely Georgian translucent carnelian fob with a square base, topped with a gold mount and bale. The shape is often called a baluster shape.

Georgian agate fob

Two of the fobs are lockets. The first one is oval and gold with two inside compartments. On the outside, both sides have pretty floriate engraving but one has a blank central space which could have been used for initials. The second locket is a little smaller but is also gold. The front is comprised of two rope circles, and gathered rope in the centre, with an anchor cross over the top. The anchor cross combines two Christian symbols, the anchor meaning hope and the cross meaning faith. The locket is a mourning piece and there is a circle of hair in the glass topped space at the back of the locket.

Two Victorian lockets

Next, there is a gold watch key with an ornate end set with a citrine.

Early Victorian watch key

The remaining three pieces are traditional fobs seals. One is tiny, metal and has a citrine set base. The other two are gold, very ornate miniature fob seals, one with a citrine engraved with a person’s name, the other has a foiled back amethyst.

Early Victorian miniature fob seals

All in all, a lovely collection.