Antique Sterling Silver Albert Watch Chain Graduated Curb Links Chester 1902 with Fob Birmingham 1899 - C3074

Summary

An antique sterling silver Albert watch chain with graduated curb links, Chester 1902 hallmarks to the main chain and dog clip, an earlier Birmingham 1895 T bar, and a pierced silver fob hallmarked Birmingham 1899. A particularly interesting assembled period chain showing how these practical accessories were adapted and altered by their owners over time.

Description

An antique sterling silver Albert watch chain made up from period silver components dating from the late Victorian and Edwardian years.

The main graduated curb chain is hallmarked Chester 1902. The largest links measure approximately 10.5mm wide, reducing to around 6.4mm at the smaller end. Each link carries a lion passant, although some of these marks have softened through handling and wear. Unusually, one of the central links carries a full Chester hallmark together with the maker's mark E.P for Edwin Page. The dog clip is also hallmarked Chester 1902 and by the same maker.

The T bar is slightly earlier, hallmarked Birmingham 1895, while the attached pierced silver fob is hallmarked Birmingham 1899 for James Fenton & Co. The fob has decorative open work and is engraved K.S.B 1900 to the front.

The combination of components from different dates is in keeping with the way Albert chains were actually used. They were practical personal accessories rather than fixed presentation pieces, and owners commonly added, replaced or transferred T bars, clips, medals, coins and fobs over many years. As a result, surviving examples can develop a layered history made up from several contemporary silver elements rather than remaining exactly as first purchased.

This example has a particularly attractive period character, with all of its principal components dating within a narrow late Victorian to Edwardian window.

Condition

Very good antique condition overall. The silver is clean and bright with good articulation throughout the chain. There is light age related surface wear and some of the lion passant marks to the individual links have become partially smoothed through handling and use. The dog clip and T bar are in good working order.

Approximate Measurements

• Chain Length: 35cm [13.78in]
• Largest Link Width: 10.5mm [0.41in]
• Smallest Link Width: 6.4mm [0.25in]
• Fob Size: 3 x 2.5cm [1.18 x 0.98in]
• Weight: 56.7g [2.00oz]
• Material: Sterling silver
• Main Chain Hallmark: Chester 1902
• Main Chain Maker: E.P for Edwin Page
• Dog Clip Hallmark: Chester 1902
• T Bar Hallmark: Birmingham 1895
• Fob Hallmark: Birmingham 1899
• Fob Maker: James Fenton & Co
• Fob Engraving: K.S.B 1900

C3074 SP26-2

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