Description

An unusual mid 19^th Century Swiss silver and enamel gem set chatelaine with a concealed watch.  Keywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel.  Plain cock with polished steel regulator.  plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring.  Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel.  White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gilt hands.  Unusual chatelaine consisting of two silver and enamel buckles, the lower one containing the watch.  Both buckles similarly decorated with a polychrome enamel  scene with two children bordered by two rows of violet stones divided by a row of split pearls.  The cover of the lower buckle hinges open to reveal the dial of the watch, the gilt oval plate opening with the movement to allow it to be wound and set.  A long single pierced chain joins the buckles, also set with violet stones and split pearls.  The upper buckle also supports two similar chains, one with a decorative cast key set with stones and split pearls, the other an uncut bloodstone seal mounted in a silver swan.