Any information on this sterling silver pendant with liquid mercury inside?

My mother bought this from a church sale in the early 90s for $5. I can't seem to find anything remotely similar online. Was wondering if anyone had any information or observations. It appears the chain and jump rings are newer than the pendant, other than that I'm lost. I would imagine it's modeled for the Greek God mercury.

Thanks!

 

That much mercury would close an entire school these days if spilled on a floor.

 

Very interesting.

Not the same styled holder, but here is a liquid mercury pendant being offered for $80.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/126804975/

 

Found several more similar to the one I posted above under Liquid Mercury Necklace, but none as unique as yours. Are there any other marks on the back besides the Sterling marks? Perhaps it was a one off, artisan made pendant?

 

very strange items indeed......

 

And to think my dad would bring the mercury home for us to play with when he broke his thermometers.

 

I am beginning to think it's one of a kind, or at least a few. To me it appears the maker most likely did a lost wax process for the wings. I can't see any markings other than the sterling on both wings. It seems like a very well made pendant for an amateur artist to make just one of. I can't help but think (hope) that it was done by a well known artist.

 

High school/beginning college students can make lost wax castings as well as this one,it's nothing special.

 

Do high school students or amateur artists use a stamp for "Sterling"?

 

Yes they do,most class room settings have a wide variety of sterling/gold stamps.Hobbyist,gem and mineral clubs,military bases and the list can go on and on,anyone can buy them.

 

It's nice, but not high quality. It is stamped with the sterling mark, so I think a manufactured item. Remember back in the 70s, silver was a cheap metal.

Notice all the defects in finishing.
The 1s should have been sanded down and polished.
The 2 is sloppy work.

 

Really, that must be something new.
Back when I took those classes they weren't available. Guess I'm starting to show my age too much.

 

It was no problem ordering from Geiger's,Alpha Supply and any hobbyist jewelry/lapidary supply store even 50 years ago. Lapidary Journal,Gems and Minerals,etc magazines were full of ads.

 

These look to be quite new. When hanging the drops just sit in the bottom and don't roll around or anything.

 

Explains a lot, doesn't it?

LOL, I'm sorry, cluttered, but you just walked right into that one. Hope you don't mind me teasing.

 

Cool, thanks for the feedback everyone. I still love the pendant, even if I'd not worth much. I sure haven't seen anything similar.

 

I can take it.

 

I wonder if it is actually legal to send those items through USPS? Here is an page discussing their potential for environmental contamination. I am old enough to remember playing with mercury in our bare hands at school. My how times have changed. At least we weren't drinking it like they were a couple of hundred years ago..... http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/projects/legacy/novelty.cfm