The phrase "knock on wood" is believed to have come from an 18th-century children's game in which touching a piece of wood would protect you from being tagged. The notion traveled into the following century, and during the first World War, British troops would carry these tiny wooden charms into battle. They hoped the lucky material would protect them - as it did during their childhood - from getting tagged. (Forever). WWI era so-called "Fumsup" charms like these were made and sold cheaply in the thousands, but this is the first one we're seen in solid 15k gold with diamonds inlaid. How strange to see a trinket elevated with fine materials - I wonder who commissioned it, and why?
MATERIALS: 15k gold (marked), 3 1mm rose cut diamonds, wood, new 14k gold chain
AGE: c. 1915
CONDITION: Very good - marked on the backside 15ct & Rd 666612 (British design registration number)
SIZE: 1 1/2" length including the bale, 3/8" width, 18" chain