Very attractive 15ct gold double-sided transparent compass charm or fob by Francis Barker c1880

Gold 1″ square transparent watch fob or pendant having double-sided peripheral frosted yellow scales open to the centre and enclosed by two “pebble” low dome glasses. Scales hand decorated with cardinals in red and intercardinals in black, both in black to other, yellow frosted reflector ring to both sides. Delicately set blued arrow with bearings in the upper and lower glass, marked N and S in gilt. The compass in a fetter link solid gold surround, with later ring set to corner hallmarked “12Ct.”

The compass swinging freely, finding north easily. The glasses clear, the gold surround in generally very good antique condition.

This very high quality compass, with its needle suspended between the two glasses, is unsigned but the work of Francis Barker, the preeminent maker of compasses at that time. it featured in the Barker catalogue of c1880 as “Fetter Link Transparent Pebble No 5 Needle Charm Compass”. The low dome or “pebble” glasses act as magnifiers, enabling one to read maps more clearly. The compass was sold in 18, 15 and 9ct gold – though untested the colour of this fetter link surround makes it most likely to be 15ct gold. The suspension ring, hallmarked 12Ct, is a later replacement.

A wonderful gift for an anniversary, birthday or other special occasion.