This really quite lovely Georgian bespoke sentimental piece dates from the later 1700s, and depicts two hands clasped in love or friendship in sepia, with the pair's initials 'CY' and 'LB (?)' in scrolling letters above and below. The hands appear to emerge from fluffy clouds (or puffy sleeves?) and are surrounded by a beautiful laurel leaf design.
 
If the hands really are emerging from the clouds, it's possible that it could be a mourning piece - but we think it's more likely to be a marriage or friendship token given for sentimental reasons, especially with the laurel surround. The detail is absolutely beautiful and not done justice by the photographs!
 
The piece started out as a clasp, and still has that functionality as the bottom clasp tongue remains removable, but the top one has been fixed in place and a bail loop added to make it into a pendant. Whether the bottom clasp piece is kept in or out when worn around the neck is a matter of taste, we prefer it out.
 
Our electronic tester is confused by the metal - the removable clasp tongues appear to be gilt metal, the main section could either be gold or gilt so selling as gilt. We don't want to use acid on it as someone has already inflicted quite an incompetent test on the rear of the mount.
 
Very collectable, very meaningful, very wearable!
 
MEASUREMENTS: Main oval 1.5" top to bottom, not including top loop/clasp fittings. 16.4g in weight.
 
CONDITION: Good, wearable antique condition - please view all close-up photos. There is a large area of darker discolouration on the rear of the mount which we are guessing was caused by a frustrated attempt to acid test it. Any display boxes/chains shown are for photography purposes only.