An unusual, Victorian-era, working compass fob, modeled in 18k rosy yellow gold, crowned with a sleek pair of hunt horns and a small horseshoe. The compass face is silvery, iridescent, with black print thatmarksthe cardinal and inter-cardinal directions. The words "true north" are printed astride the needle. This fob's reverse side is set with a beautifully figured bloodstone slab— the green, here, is deep and evenly colored; the many bright red splotches that give the stone its common name are small and well-defined against the dark field. This wonderful old object is marked 18ct, for fineness, and with a smallmaker's monogram (BB). It wears beautifully as a large pendant, alone, orlayered with other meaningful pieces.

Materials

18k gold
Crystal
Bloodstone
Compass-works

Age

c. 1890

Dimensions

Compass measures approx 18.7 mm; total height is approx 32.7 mm, including bail.