DATE: Georgian Regency, c.1810

Cool Regency period key brooch, circa 1810. There's a round locket compartment in the centre of the bow, currently home to a tightly woven lock of hair (the Georgians were like that..), and features intricate filigree ropework details along the shank and unusual (but quite lovely) hand-engraved detailing to the bit. As you can probably tell, I just googled "anatomy of a key" and it was somewhat illuminating - I would have only hit on one of those three descriptors. The significance of the key is clear here, not the usual "key to my heart", but rather it's a memorial piece, so the key unlocks a memory of the deceased. Crafted in 15 karat gold.

MEASUREMENTS 

3.8 x 1.2cm

WEIGHT 

2.0g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 15k gold

CONDITION 

Very good