This is a real delight. Not only a very pretty piece of jewellery, but there is so much meaning packed into it. Each of the six faces of the spinner are engraved with an image or words, and it would have been used by a lady (who perhaps attached it to her chatelaine or longguardd chain) to ‘sign off’ her letters. She would have melted a small amount of sealing wax and pushed the chosen side into it, to used sealing wax to seal her letter/envelope. In the days before emails, emojis, AI and horrendous corporate speech, things were a little more personal, and this spinner would have been a very useful tool for correspondence, as well as a piece of jewellery that was worn. Just incredible when you think about it really.
The sides are decorated with the words ‘SAY YES’, ‘FROM A FRIEND’ with an envelope, ‘YOURS TRULY’, and images of a dog (for fidelity), a pansy (think of me, from the French word for think penser), and a carrier pigeon holding an envelope. The whole piece is ornate and just a lovely thing to wear on a chain as an unusual and gorgeous pendant.
Circa 1880
Base metal with a rolled gold bale (added by me)
30 × 13 x 22mm not including bale
6 grams
Great antique condition
This is a real delight. Not only a very pretty piece of jewellery, but there is so much meaning packed into it. Each of the six faces of the spinner are engraved with an image or words, and it would have been used by a lady (who perhaps attached it to her chatelaine or longguardd chain) to ‘sign off’ her letters. She would have melted a small amount of sealing wax and pushed the chosen side into it, to used sealing wax to seal her letter/envelope. In the days before emails, emojis, AI and horrendous corporate speech, things were a little more personal, and this spinner would have been a very useful tool for correspondence, as well as a piece of jewellery that was worn. Just incredible when you think about it really.
The sides are decorated with the words ‘SAY YES’, ‘FROM A FRIEND’ with an envelope, ‘YOURS TRULY’, and images of a dog (for fidelity), a pansy (think of me, from the French word for think penser), and a carrier pigeon holding an envelope. The whole piece is ornate and just a lovely thing to wear on a chain as an unusual and gorgeous pendant.
Circa 1880
Base metal with a rolled gold bale (added by me)
30 × 13 x 22mm not including bale
6 grams
Great antique condition
