Antique Silver Niello Pocket Watch, Circa 1890s

Antique ladies pocket watch with nielloed silver casing, made in Switzerland in the late 19th century (circa 1890). This is a rare and fine item that draws our attention for the original decoration of the case. The metal has been embellished with a nielloed finish that provides it with a singular blackish shine, decorated in turn with fine parallel golden lines scattered all over the surface. The watch is in wonderful condition and its movement has been thoroughly cleaned and overhauled in order to ensure a perfect working order. The watchs face is also greatly preserved. It is protected by the original glass cap, mounted on a nielloed silver frame decorated with the same golden parallel lines that we can see in the rear ca. It is made of white porcelain and bears black Roman numbers for the hours. Over these numbers we can see a series of small blue ciphers, indicating the hours after 12:00 A.M. Surrounding the Roman numbers there is a line of tiny golden metal dots. The hands are very delicate and beautiful: they are made of coppery metal with filigree adorns. The rear cap shows off the gorgeous and original decoration stated before, with slim golden lines scattered all over a dark background. At the bottom we can see a fine shield with an anagram composed of the initials J and C. If we lift this cap, inside we will find the silver proportion number (0,800), a mark that identifies nielloed silver, the Swiss silver hallmark (partially erased) and the serial number 652909. Though this number is almost gone, we can see it almost complete engraved in the edge of the cap. These inscriptions are also engraved in the inner face of the dustcap, where they look perfectly preserved and legible. For its beauty and original quality, this antique ladies pocket watch with nielloed silver casing can be a magnificent gift for a person with taste and style. Measurements: Width: 31 mm. Height (with Crown): 38 mm.