Since antiquity, jewelry has often carried hidden functions beyond ornament. Lockets held mementos, watch cases doubled as keepsakes, and in rarer cases, jewels disguised keys. This extraordinarily rare Victorian bracelet, far less common than the rings and pendants we've seen, conceals a small brass key behind its sleek 14k gold front. Brass, chosen for its strength, allowed the key to twist securely inside a lock. It would have once opened a private box for jewels, money or letters. To safeguard valuables, what better place to hide a key than on one's wrist, hidden in plain sight?
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests), gold-plated brass key
AGE: c. 1880
CONDITION: Very good - key is gold plated brass, the plating has worn away around the teeth from use
SIZE: 6 1/2" inner circumference, 1/2" width at the face, 1/4" shank, 3 1/4" safety chain, 1 3/8" key