Rare ANTIQUE Spring Loaded 10k Gold Fill Dog Clip with Ribbed Ball Latch VICTORIAN Pendant Holder Patented 1852

Big stock drop of some vintage to antique bits and bobs, charms, chains, pendants etc., many from my inventory trips to Europe.

ABOUT:

Personal Collection Release. Certainly a scarce finding, I have never seen one like it.

This larger sized dog clip has a large, ribbed ball detail that you pull downward away from the clip, allowing the base of the clip to open creating a hook. You would then run the open hook through your pendant or chain and again pull back the spring loaded ball to nest the hook back into place.

These are just nice to have on hand when building your neckmess / neck stack. There are plenty of reproductions of these made but this is an actual antique piece and quite rare in that it is somewhat mechanical / spring loaded.

It is hallmarked on both sides FS&P and also stamped Patent 1852 for the year of invention.

Super sturdy piece, it was actually sold to me as 10k gold from a jeweler but I can see some gray seams and some layering so I am selling it as gold fill to be safe, although some of the components like the ball may be gold cased and do test as gold. I think the there are layers of a sturdier metal, likely brass to the hook part for strength.

Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.

Note that the loop on the back is open so that you can insert it easily into a chain link before pinching it shut with a tool. Just let me know if you prefer me to close it up to make it perfectly round before sending. These are made with the ability to open and close the link with a tool like a pliers and the gold is soft enough to do this without damaging it..

MEASUREMENTS:
30x10x6.5mm. Weight is 3.7g.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
It does take some tactile strength to hold the ball down while flipping it over. It also took me some practice and getting used to and now I can open it and close it frequently but it is Super Sturdy and strong with the tight spring loaded ball and the perfectly nesting hook. Some patina from age, it is a warm and soft gold color with a more buttery glow to the ball part.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

SOCIAL:
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Box#T.32$