🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Old GOLD but what is it??

[DetectorMoe]

Found this at a old 1700s colonial homesite out in the woods.. Its got markings and its is little, I been told it could be part of a earring.. Anyone have info??

 

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[ARC]

Earring... not old.... err part of anyway... one half.

 

[DetectorMoe]

Earring... not old.... err part of anyway... one half.

Why you think its not old?

 

[ARC]

Why you think its not old?

Welllll... where ya want me to start ?

 

[ARC]

I should say "trust me"... but hey we both know how that goes.
Post earrings on a hinge like that are not "old".... vintage yes... but as far as historical... no.

Still made today even.

 

[DetectorMoe]

Welllll... where ya want me to start ?

Why would this be found at a 1700s homesite? I have found other things in the pass there like fancy cufflinks and fancy buttons.. These photos don't do it justice...

 

[pepperj]

I should say "trust me"... but hey we both know how that goes.
Post earrings on a hinge like that are not "old".... vintage yes... but as far as historical... no.

Still made today even.

Now the question is how old?
"The first recorded instance of a lever back earring was in the 1500s."
This is in fact a lever back clasp
It has a knob/ball attachment (meaning the indent would go over the ball/bump to secure it closed) There's probably a name for that part ball clasp?
I would say with the hallmarks it's not recent-it has some age to it-pre 19th Century

 

[DetectorMoe]

I see it just fine... it is what it is.

I just found out that one marking is a eagle head, which is rare French victorian 18k, Circa 1700s - 1840s..

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[ARC]

I just found out that one marking is a eagle head, which is rare French victorian 18k, Circa 1700s - 1840s..

​

Heh... that is some "eagle head"... man you are grasping on that one at best.

sure its not a hawk ? Osprey ? Parrot ? Pigeon ?

OR... perhaps that is not a mark at all. heh

 

[pepperj]

I just found out that one marking is a eagle head, which is rare French victorian 18k, Circa 1700s - 1840s..

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Since 1838 an eagle’s head indicates a gold purity of at least 18 karat

 

[ARC]

If you are refering to this mark.... then i guess it could be.... but... this "style" was not around.
Sorry.

 

[pepperj]

The hoop has 2 marks and the following showing the marks from France

 

[ARC]

Test it for 18.

 

[pepperj]

Looking at the head of the "Eagle" and the actual mark they're different.
Going by the chart I would view it as more "Weevil 2" for the righthand mark

 

[ARC]

I mean... this COULD be something i have not seen... the marks first appeared as dents to me...
Picture is not that clear to decipher for me...
With that said... testing should be done to confirm purity.
That mark was used (if it is in fact the eagle mark) for some time... its the OTHER mark if in fact it is also one that will tell the tale...
The more i look at it the better chance or it being makers marks.
The inset post squared style is not a typical design of the period for the OP's spot.
Doesnt mean it cant be... i am not "all knowing"... just seen alot.

That same style is used and made today... so..

 

[3cylbill]

Looks like the secondary safety clasp from a gold bracelet..

 

[pepperj]

The following link has images of the hall marks (outline shape) and the dates, explanation of the stamp/period.
Could be a worn mark of a ?-though looking at the complete mark it narrows it down (that in fact it's french even)

Hallmarks - Osprey Paris

Osprey Paris Hallmarks Deciphering French hallmarks is not easy: they are small and often worn, especially on rings. The identification of an official hallmark can nevertheless make it possible to date a jewel approximately and sometimes, by cross-referencing the hallmark with the maker’s mark...

www.osprey.fr

 

[Tpmetal]

Different types of lever back ear rings have been around for quite a long time. Much earlier than vintage as pepperj pointed out. The style that was popular in the 1800's were the wire lever back, which saw a huge popularity in the late 1800's. This style you found is much more uncommon for the 1800's, but not impossible. It would have been very high end stuff for that century. Which could make sense if the other fancy stuff you found is also period.

 

[ARC]

 

[pepperj]

View attachment 2065316

But none of the examples show the lever style that was found