Featured Brooch / Watch conundrum

Thankyou for looking . I'll have a look on eBay as it would be nice to have a contemporary one.
I'll see if I can find a friendly local jeweller to replace the pin.

 

They could have used an 1887 one when they made the brooch in 1888. Maybe it was made only a month into the year. I would take one of Davey's 1887 ones.

 

Yep, but getting the right hinged pin is... a PAIN! Modern replacement ones don't fit, and old ones you could recycle from damaged brooches don't always have the right size and thickness...

 

Sorry, been at work. That’s brilliant, I just want it to be right!. @daveydempsey I will private message you when I get home

 

The holed coins could have been on a gent's watch chain instead of worn by a lady. I've found a fair number of coins drilled for use as a lucky piece or fob decoration. I would be neat to put the proper coin in the holder. (and shame on Davey for scrapping the holders!)

 

@daveydempsey is this a coin holder too? Or something different again?. It tests as silver although I’m not sure it’s great quality as the reaction was a bit unconvincing!. Unmarked as far as I can see. It’s just over 2cm across and the opening is just over 1.5cm.
Thanks

 

See, I have no idea
I’ll ask @Any Jewelry and @Bronwen if they know.

 

Vinaigrette, that is.

 

I've just read that the silver ones are usually gilded inside to prevent corrosion and this one is so that all fits. Any idea of era or origin?

 

Ooh that's very pretty though!. The hallmark on mine is tucked away on the inside edge so maybe it's been covered up on yours.

 

Not nearly, you were spot on!.

 

Could well be. It doesn't feel quite right for silver and the test result was a bit sketchy.
I just love the history behind things like this though.
I am though developing a detestation for people who acid test directly onto jewellery. It's just vandalism!.

 

Hi KSW,
I agree, but what drives me batty is the people who scrape a line in the center of a piece of silverplate trying to decide if it is sterling or not. NO TEST should ever harm the piece you are testing. The hot match test also drives me wild.
greg

 

Agree 100%. It puts me off buying a group of items if I see a careless acid mark. Not because it's not gold or silver, just because if one piece is ruined most will be. I'd rather not know. I am intrigued how the Assay office test gold without spoiling it as everyone keeps telling me the touchstone test is unreliable.

 

It is like a vinaigrette and has a similar purpose.
It looks eastern Mediterranean, in which case it probably held cloves or fragrant herbs. If it is a Western vinaigrette, it could have held an inner case to protect it against acid. Vinaigrettes generally had a lid, and when opened you'd see an openwork lid under which a sponge was kept.
Vinaigrettes were only used when necessary. Smelly surroundings, fainting due to tight corsets, that kind of thing.
Herb cases were meant to spread a continuous fragrance, either for spiritual, protective, or attractive purposes. In some regions clove necklaces were worn for the same reasons.

Clove necklace:


The small beads are made from ground cloves:

 

I must keep it upon my person at all times then!

Can you take a guess as it its age AJ?
Thanks for your information, I noticed most of the ones I googled had lids.