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Flat beaded watch chain with a variety of blue and gold geometric shapes and a set of objects related to devotion and loyalty, such as hearts, anchors, baskets and urns. These are woven in blue glass and hexagonal gold metallic beads, with a black beaded background. Black silk ribbon ties stitched to each end would have been tied to the watch. The entire chain would have then been looped around the neck, with the watch tucked into a pocket or waistband. Both men and women wore these beaded chains.
fobs
glass (material)
flax (fiber)
silk (fiber)
Chain, Watch
"Mementos: Jewelry of Life and Love from Historic New England": Love gifts extended far beyond rings. Especially in the 1830s young women spent hours carefully weaving beaded chains for their loved ones. Tiny glass beads spelled out messages and depicted love symbols such as pairs of gold rings, hearts, anchors (a symbol of hope), and keys (to one's heart).
"Affection's Offering PDL" (Beaded)
1909
Unknown
United States
1/4 (W) (inches)
Gift of Miss Lydia G. Chace
1931.1804
For more information on beaded chains see Bassett, Lynne Zacek. "Woven Bead Chains of the 1830s," "The Magazine Antiques." (December 1995): 798-807.
Title 2 - Moonstone earrings Accession Number 1926.728.a.1
Title Gold earring Accession Number 1926.728 b
Title Cut steel earring Accession Number 1926.728 c
Title Tortoiseshell pendant Accession Number 1926.728 d
Title Tortoiseshell earrings Accession Number 1926.733
Title Gold chain and watch Accession Number 1929.1791 ab
Title Silver bracelet Accession Number 1929.1792
Title Steel shoe ornament Accession Number 1931.1593
Title Belt buckle Accession Number 1931.1593
Title Pair of tortoiseshell bracelets Accession Number 1931.1792 ab
Title Pair of tortoiseshell bracelets Accession Number 1931.1793 ab
Title Watch chain Accession Number 1931.1794
Title Watch chain Accession Number 1931.1795
Title Brass watch chain Accession Number 1931.1796
Title Locket Accession Number 1931.1797
Title Locket Accession Number 1931.1798
Title Gold pendant Accession Number 1931.1799
Title Brooch Accession Number 1931.1800
Title Stick pin Accession Number 1931.1801
Title Gold ring Accession Number 1931.1802
Title Pair of tortoiseshell pins Accession Number 1931.1803 ab
Title Beaded watch chain Accession Number 1931.1804
Title Chain of blue beads Accession Number 1931.1805
Title Pair of cufflinks Accession Number 1932.80 ab
Title Pair of cufflinks Accession Number 1932.81 ab
Title Hair mount Accession Number 1932.82
Title Mother of pearl markers Accession Number 1932.83
Title Brown University cuff links Accession Number 1938.39 ab
Title Gold chain and locket Accession Number 1965.125 ab
Title Cufflinks Accession Number 1965.126 ab
Title Gold watch chain Accession Number 1965.127
Title Ring Accession Number 1965.128
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