RARE VICTORIAN 18CT GOLD
FETTER LINK ALBERT FOB
WATCH CHAIN
‘Metamorphic’ Albert fob watch chain or
pocket watch chain predominately stamped
18ct gold and weighing 47.9 grams
c.1895
This elongated link
joined by a single
round link is often
referred to as either
a ‘trombone’ or
‘fetter and one’ link.
The T-bar section can
be removed on
this one so it makes
it extremely versatile.
It can be a watch
chain of course or worn
around the neck with
the T-bar dangling
at the front with or
without another
decorative pendant as well for which
there is a spare small O ring here to
do just that – see photos.
Alternatively you can
remove the T-bar
section and just wear
it as a chain with
the clips behind the
neck or with the
clasps at the front for
added interest
or with a pendant –
see photos.
These options make
this particular
chain very different
from the standard
versions where the
T-bar is fixed and
can’t be removed and
most desirable
in my opinion.
The T-bar and chain
section are definitely
original to each
other as all of the long fetter
links as well as the T-bar itself are stamped:
18 and HB
for 18ct gold and HB
is the maker-
some of which are quite
rubbed now.
Tested the largest
ring on the
T-bar section and it
also tests
as 18ct gold.
Single pocket watch
fob chains or
‘Alberts’ as they are
known as
(after Queen Victoria’s husband
Albert who turned
them into a fashion
accessory in the
1860s) are often
anywhere from 12 to 16
inches long –
not long enough to
wear as a necklace
as is the fashion now
so in recent times
these shorter chain
have had more links
added to make the
wearable
(done this myself more than once)
and this is quite an acceptable
practice to make the
antique chain
functional as a piece
of jewellery.
But double ‘Alberts’
are often long
enough to wear without
adding links,
as is the case with this one.
The dog clip is 9ct rose
and although
antique too probably
didn’t start out
life with the rest of
the chain.
The unmarked bolt
ring clip tested as
9ct but I still think it’s original as a
9ct clasp will take far more abuse
than its softer 18ct equivalent.
I bought this Albert
exactly as is and
although I have owned
(and worn)
this chain as a necklace
for a number
of years I never
noticed that the dop
clip was either rose
gold or 9ct so
it’s not obvious.
I’ve
added photos with the different
Ways
this fob chain can be worn
including
with different pendants.
Depending
on the occasion you can
wear
it as a simple gold neck chain
or
with all the bells and whistles as
a
dramatic necklace for all to admire.
+++++
Display stand in photos is not life size.
I only have old boxes to put this chain
as I am no longer in business but I
only have my old boxes left.
Shown it in one vintage necklace box
I can send it in and there is another
battered old long Saunders (Jeweller) box
as well you could have but really neither
is that appropriate but they’re all I’ve got.
I can offer a smaller, newer case in better
condition but still not brand new.
Just let me know if you have any preferences.
CONDITION
In reasonably good antique condition
but with signs of age and use.
Some of the long links are thinning
at the ends.
They are often made this way to some degree
at least so they interlock better but the link
directly above the T-bar (see photos 5 & 6)
is quite thin now and a little out of shape.
It is basically the link that cops the brunt of
the weight of
the chain when worn and 18ct
gold is not as robust as 9ct which is probably
why these
chains were mostly produced
in the lower
but stronger gold standard.
The 18 and HB stamps are rubbed
on a number of the fetter links to the
point they are unreadable but some
are still OK as shown in a close up
of another fetter link and the T-bar –
see close up photos.
DIMENSIONS
It measures stretched out approximately:
46.5cm (18 ¼ ") long
It fits around my fat old neck easily and
the actual wearable length with dog clip
attached to largest ring on the
separate T-bar as per photos is:
44.5cm (17 ½ ") long
Weight is: 47.9
grams of 18ct gold
>>>>>>1828<<<<<<
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kollectik1
(Kollectik Pty.
Ltd.)
has been
trading successfully on eBay
for a very long
time now and hopefully will
be for a long time
to come
(please see our
feedback)
Between 2007 and
2018 we were also
The
Manly Antique Centre
which has now sadly
closed as our old building was
sold to Developers
and is now a block of units.......
of course.
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